Story 7 · Ages 5–12
Easter Morning - Jesus is Alive!
Jesus rises from the dead, defeating death and offering eternal life to all who believe.
Jesus had died on the cross and was buried in a tomb - a cave carved into rock. A huge, heavy stone was rolled in front of the door. Soldiers stood guard outside.
The story
Jesus' friends were so sad. They cried and cried. Everything seemed hopeless. Their best friend was gone.
But Sunday morning, something AMAZING happened!
Very early, when the sun was just starting to come up, some women went to Jesus' tomb. They wanted to put sweet-smelling spices on His body. As they walked, they wondered, "Who will roll away the heavy stone for us?"
But when they got there - surprise! The stone was already rolled away! The tomb was open!
Suddenly, the ground shook! An angel appeared, shining as bright as lightning! The soldiers guarding the tomb were so scared they fainted!
The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid! I know you're looking for Jesus, but He's not here! He has risen, just like He said He would! Come and see where He was lying!"
The women went inside the tomb. Jesus' body was gone! Only the cloths that had been wrapped around Him were there!
The angel said, "Go quickly! Tell His disciples: Jesus has risen from the dead! He's going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there!"
The women were filled with fear and great joy at the same time! They ran as fast as they could to tell the disciples!
Peter and John heard the news and ran to the tomb. They looked inside - Jesus' body really was gone! They believed!
Later that day, Mary Magdalene was crying outside the tomb. Suddenly, someone was standing beside her. She thought it was the gardener.
The man asked, "Why are you crying?"
Mary said sadly, "Someone has taken away my Lord, and I don't know where they put Him."
Then the man said gently, "Mary."
Mary knew that voice! She turned around - it was JESUS! He was alive!
"Teacher!" she cried joyfully!
Jesus said, "Go and tell my brothers that you have seen me!"
Over the next few weeks, Jesus appeared to many people. He ate with them, talked with them, and showed them His hands and feet so they would know it was really Him!
Remember this
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
What did we learn?
Jesus conquered death! He died to take away our sins, and He rose again to give us new life! Because Jesus is alive, we can live with Him forever! This is the best news ever - Jesus is ALIVE!