On the very first Easter morning, the world was quiet and still. The sun was just waking up, painting the sky with soft pink and orange colors. The air smelled fresh and cool, like a new beginning. Some women were walking slowly to a special garden where Jesus had been placed after He died.
They were very sad because Jesus had been their friend. They missed Him so much! They wanted to put nice spices on His body to show love and care. But when they got to the garden, something amazing happened.
The big stone that covered the entrance of the tomb was rolled away! The tomb was empty! The women were surprised and a little scared. Suddenly, two angels appeared, shining like bright stars in the morning light.
One angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Jesus is not here. He is alive!” The women’s hearts started to beat fast. Could it be true? Jesus was alive again! The angels reminded them that Jesus had told His friends He would rise from the dead on the third day.
The women ran quickly to tell Jesus’ friends. They shouted, “Jesus is alive! We have seen Him!” The friends were confused and didn’t believe at first. But then, Jesus appeared to them too! He showed His hands and feet where He had been hurt. They were so happy and amazed.
Jesus said, “Peace be with you. I am alive forever!” The friends smiled and hugged each other. Their sadness turned into joy, like sunshine after a rainy day. They knew Jesus had won over death and was with them always.
This wonderful news is why we celebrate Easter. Jesus is alive! He loves us so much that He gave His life for us and then came back to life. Because of Jesus, we can be happy and never be afraid, even when things are hard.
The garden was full of new life, just like Jesus. The flowers seemed to dance in the breeze, and the birds sang songs of joy. Easter is a special day to remember that Jesus is our forever friend who is alive and loves us very much.
Questions to think about
- Why were the women sad at the beginning?
- What did the angels tell the women?
- How did Jesus’ friends feel when they saw Him alive?
- What does Easter tell us about Jesus?
- How can we be happy because Jesus is alive?
Message of the story
God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to live, die, and come back to life so we can have hope and joy forever.
Bible passage
Luke 24:1–12
Luke 24:1–12 (ICB)
Early on Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb. They took the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
They went inside but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they did not know what to think about this, two men suddenly stood beside them in shining clothes.
The women were afraid and bowed down with their faces to the ground. The men said to them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has risen! Remember what He told you when He was still with you in Galilee. He said, ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be nailed to a cross, and rise again on the third day.’”
Then the women remembered what Jesus had said. They left the tomb and told all these things to the eleven apostles and to all the others.
The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them. The apostles did not believe the women because their words seemed like nonsense.
But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bent down and looked inside. He saw only the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head.
