Post Scripts: Easter: A boy named Jeremy

I’ve had this story in my file for several years and hope you’ll enjoy it this Easter week. It’s about a boy named Jeremy. He was born with a slow mind and at the age of 12, he was still in the second grade, seemingly unable to learn. His teacher, Doris Miller, often became very frustrated with him. He would squirm in his seat, drool and make grunting noises. At other times he spoke clearly and distinctly, as if a spot of light had penetrated his brain. Most of the time, however, he just irritated the teacher.

One day she asked his parents to see if they could put him in a special school. His parents said there was not a special school close by and it would be a terrible shock for him to be moved as he really liked it where he was. The teacher wanted to sympathize with the parents as the child had a terminal illness but it wasn’t fair to keep him in the class with 18 other children five years younger than he was.

As she pondered the situation, guilt washed over her. Maybe the Lord would give her patience to deal with Jeremy. From that day on she tried hard to ignore Jeremy’s noises and his blank stares.

Spring came and the children talked excitedly about the coming of Easter. Doris told the story of Jesus and then to emphasize the idea of new life springing forth, she gave each child a large plastic egg. "Now, she said, " I want you to take this home and bring it back tomorrow with something inside that shows new life. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Miss Miller." the children responded enthusiastically – all but Jeremy. Had he understood what she had said about Jesus death and resurrection? Did he understand the assignment or should she call his parents and explain the assignment? That evening Doris got busy and forgot to phone his parents.

The next morning the 19 children came to school laughing and talking as they placed their eggs in the big basket on the teacher’s desk. After math class it was time to open the eggs. In the first egg Miss Miller found a flower, "Oh, yes, a flower certainly is a sign of new life," she said. "When plants peek through the ground we know that spring is here." A small girl in the front row said that was her egg. The next egg contained a plastic butterfly. Doris held it up and said,"We all know that a caterpillar changes and grows into a beautiful butterfly. Yes, that’s new life, too" Little Judy proudly said that was her egg. Next Doris found a rock with moss on it. She explained that moss, too, showed life. Billy spoke up from the back of the room."My daddy helped me," he beamed.

When Doris opened the fourth egg, she gasped. The egg was empty. Surely it must be Jeremy’s she thought and of course he did not understand her instructions. If only she had not forgotten to phone his parents. Because she did not want to embarrass him, she quietly set the egg aside and reached for another. Suddenly Jeremy spoke up. "Miss Miller, aren’t you going to talk about my egg?" Flustered Doris replied. "But Jeremy, your egg is empty." He looked into her eyes and said softly,"Yes, but Jesus’ tomb was empty, too."

Time stopped. When she could speak again, Doris asked him."Do you know why the tomb was empty?" "Oh, yes," Jeremy said, "Jesus was killed and put in there. Then his father raised Him up."

Three months later, Jeremy died. Those who paid their respects at the mortuary were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of his casket, all of them empty.

We lost a special longtime friend, Susan Ann Aulgur, last week. We know the Lord has picked up this fine Christian lady and taken her to heaven. We received word Monday that a precious niece who has been on death’s door for sometime, also went to be with her father in heaven this week before Easter. Michelle was only 33 years old. This mother leaves two young sons along with the rest of her family. We may not always understand God’s plan but we can only trust his judgement.