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Why The Lamb?

Posted on Apr 08, 2009

While praying around Easter time in the year 2002, God gave Paul Moylan an idea. He felt God call him to reclaim Easter for Jesus by producing Chocolate Easter Lambs instead of over commercialised traditional bunnies, chickens and eggs, which have nothing to do with the true purpose of Easter. Easter has almost lost its spiritual emphasis. At least at Christmas, we see nativity scenes and talk about the birth of Jesus. It's even easier at Easter to get caught up in the commercialism, buying expensive and unhealthy chocolate eggs and not to focus on the meaning of the celebration.

After much research and many twists and turns of the story, in 2005 he fulfilled that calling by starting "Why the Lamb", a company which makes Chocolate Easter Lambs. In its first year of production it was marketed to local churches. Now it can be bought at Christian bookstores and online at www.whythelamb.com. They have since expanded their range to include children's books and audio books that emphasize the message of Jesus' sacrifice for us. The focus of this organisation is to declare Jesus - the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

"Why the Lamb" chocolates are another tool that can be used to help friends, family and especially children, focus on the sacrifice of Jesus and the meaning of His death and resurrection. Sometimes it's hard to get started on these types of conversations without feeling stilted or like you are preaching. Having a chocolate lamb creates questions and queries which create a platform to have interesting conversations about the true meaning of Easter.

You could teach a child all the 28 fundamentals, the books of the Bible, the order of the kings of Israel, which are all useful and important things. But the heart of the message is that the Lamb of God took away the sins of the world. The key message that brings all the other messages into perspective is that the price was paid for our salvation; that Jesus died for us; that he rose again and has thus made it possible to have a clean heart and a new life because of this gift. Finding every opportunity to talk about this message is essential for children to find His grace in all they are taught.

Imagine the conversations that could start when hunting through the garden for Easter treats when one of the treats is a chocolate lamb; it could bring up all sorts of questions: What's a lamb got to do with Easter? What do chickens and bunnies have to do with Easter? When did Easter start? Why don't people talk about Jesus on Easter? Why do they call Jesus a Lamb?

The possibilities are endless! It requires us to think strategically and not let anything pass us by and also think intentionally about raising children for the kingdom. Look for teachable moments where the conversation can focus on the important things rather than the ordinary. I pray Easter will be another opportunity to reinforce in the lives of children, friends and community that Jesus is a precious and amazing gift.

Pr Kylie Ward, Womens & Childrens Ministries Director, NNZC/NZPUC