Ezra and the empty tomb

Ezra Levi bounced excitedly in his seat as the jeep bumped across the Egyptian desert. His archaeologist mom had finally brought him on a real dig. The golden sand stretched endlessly around them, shimmering under the hot sun.

Tents dotted the excavation site like white desert flowers. Scientists in khaki clothes carefully brushed sand from ancient stones. Ezra watched wide-eyed as his mom directed her team toward a sealed tomb entrance.

That night, Ezra lay in his cot imagining grand Egyptian palaces. In his mind, he saw pharaohs in golden headdresses and servants carrying exotic fruits. He pictured himself walking through ancient hallways where real people had lived thousands of years ago.

"Today we open the tomb," Mom announced at breakfast. Ezra could hardly eat his cereal, his stomach fluttering with excitement. The team gathered around the stone entrance, tools ready for the momentous discovery.

Inside the tomb, Ezra stared at the carefully preserved remains. "Why do bones matter so much, Mom?" he whispered. Mom knelt beside him, her eyes bright with passion. "Bones tell us stories about people who lived long ago."

That evening, as stars appeared over the desert, Ezra asked the question that had been growing in his mind. "Mom, if everyone leaves bones behind, where are Jesus' bones?" His mother smiled, setting down her notebook.

"That's the most amazing part, Ezra," Mom said, pulling him close. "Jesus' tomb is empty because He is alive!" Ezra's eyes widened with wonder. "His tomb was found empty because He rose again, just as He promised."

Ezra closed his eyes, picturing the stone rolling away from Jesus' tomb. He imagined the bright light as Jesus stepped out, alive and powerful. In his mind, he saw the amazed faces of those who discovered the empty tomb.

"So the greatest discovery isn't something we dig up?" Ezra asked thoughtfully. Mom shook her head, smiling. "The greatest treasure isn't buried in the ground—it's alive in your heart." Ezra placed his hand over his chest, feeling something special inside.

The next day, Ezra helped catalog small artifacts from the tomb. "Did you know about Jesus' empty tomb?" he asked one of the scientists. His enthusiasm made the whole team smile as he shared what he had learned.

As the week continued, Ezra saw the dig site differently. Each discovery wasn't just about the past anymore. Every ancient object reminded him that history pointed to something greater—someone who was still alive.

On their last evening, Ezra and Mom watched the sun set over the golden dunes. Ezra clutched his mother's hand tightly, feeling changed by what he had learned. "This changes everything, doesn't it?" he whispered, as stars began to appear above the ancient land.