“He is not here; he has risen!”
— Luke 24:6 (NIV)
Jesus loved everyone. He healed people who were sick, He hugged the children, and He told everyone how much God loved them. Wherever Jesus went, He showed kindness.
But some people did not like Jesus, and they were unkind to Him. One sad day, Jesus was put on a cross, and there He died. Jesus chose to do this because He loves us so very much.
Jesus’ friends were very, very sad. Gently, they laid His body in a quiet tomb that was carved out of a rock. Then a great big stone was rolled across the front like a door.
All day Saturday it was quiet, and Jesus’ friends missed Him. But God was getting ready to do something wonderful that no one expected.
Very early on Sunday morning, when the sun was just coming up, some friends went to the tomb. But the big stone had been rolled away — and the tomb was empty! An angel said, “Do not be afraid. Jesus is not here. He is alive again!”
Jesus was alive! He came to see His friends, and their sadness turned into the biggest joy of all. That is the happy news of the very first Easter: Jesus loves us, and Jesus is alive!
The Big Idea
Jesus loves us so much that He died for us — and then He came back to life! Easter is the happiest news of all: Jesus is alive.
Reflect & Discuss
- 1.How did Jesus show people that He loved them?
- 2.What did Jesus’ friends find when they went to the tomb on Sunday morning?
- 3.How do you think Jesus’ friends felt when they saw He was alive?
A Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me so much. Thank You that You are alive! Help me to be happy and to share the good news of Easter. Amen.
The same story, told for…