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The Story of Easter

By Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards

Text Version | Afrikaans | Arabic | Greek | Italian


Jesus on the cross What an awfully sad day it had been for the friends of Jesus! They had stood watching sorrowfully, as Jesus hung on the cross dying. They didn't fully understand why it had to happen.

They believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and they remembered how He had healed the sick and made blind people see. They remembered how He had fed thousands of people with just a few loaves of bread and fish. They even remembered how He had caused dead people to come back to life. He was such a good, kind man; why did He have to die?

Joseph and Nicodemus carry Jesus to a tomb to bury Him Just before the sun was beginning to sink into the west, Joseph, one of Jesus' friends, noticed that Jesus was no longer breathing. He hurriedly went to ask Pilate if he could have the body of Jesus so he could bury Him. When Pilate agreed, Joseph and Nicodemus (another friend) carefully wrapped Jesus' body in clean cloths. Then they took Him to a tomb to bury Him.

The next day, the Pharisees started thinking about Jesus. They were the people that had wanted to kill Jesus. They remembered how He had taught them, saying that He would rise again after three days. They were worried that it might be true! They also thought that Jesus' disciples would remember and might try to steal the body from the tomb just so they could say that Jesus rose again. They went to Pilate, suggesting that the tomb be closed up with a huge stone and that guards be placed all around the tomb.

Just before daylight the next day, the most amazing thing happened! There was a GREAT EARTHQUAKE! An ANGEL from the Lord came down from heaven, moved the gigantic stone away from the door of the tomb and sat on it. The guards began to shake with fear! They fell down to the ground as if they were dead!



spring flowers


Jesus is alive Mary and some other women had decided to get up very early in the morning and go to visit the tomb where Jesus was placed. While walking down the road, they were discussing how they were going to get inside the tomb. They had brought along some spices and perfume that they wanted to place on Jesus' body. They knew the huge stone had been placed in the doorway and they had no idea how they were going to move it.

What a SURPRISE they found when they reached the tomb! The stone had already been moved! And . . . there was an ANGEL sitting on the stone! The women were quite afraid, but the angel spoke gently to them:

women at the tomb

“Don't be afraid. I know that you have come to see Jesus. He is not here; for he is risen just as he said. Come inside and see the place where he lay.”

The women went inside the tomb and found it empty, just as the angel had told them.

The angel spoke to the women one more time:

“Go quickly and tell the other disciples that Jesus has risen from the dead; and he is going into Galilee where you will see him.”

spring flowers

Peter decided that he needed to find out for himself The women did just as the angel had told them. They ran quickly from the tomb, with fear and great joy, to tell the good news to the other disciples. But . . . when the women found Peter and their other friends and tried to tell them the good news, . . . no one believed them!

When the women persisted, Peter decided that he needed to find out for himself.

He ran all the way to the tomb.

He went inside.

He saw the cloths that had been wrapped around Jesus, but the body was not there.

He wondered if it could possibly be true. Did Jesus really raise from the dead? Was Jesus really alive?



spring flowers


Two of Jesus' other friends were going on a journey to a village called Emmaus. As they walked and talked, they discussed all the things that had happened over the past few days. A man came along and joined the group. He walked along with them and wanted to join their discussion. Cleopas began telling the man about how Jesus was crucified on the cross. They talked about how the women found the empty tomb.

As they continued their journey, they invited the man to come in with them and have dinner. When they sat down to eat their meal, the man picked up a loaf of bread and broke it in pieces. Then he prayed for the meal and gave the bread to the men. At that very moment they realized that the man was JESUS! They had been talking to Jesus the whole time and didn't even know it!

They talked about the wonderful time they
had talking with Jesus

Then . . . ANOTHER strange thing happened. As soon as they realized who it really was that sat at the table with them . . . Jesus disappeared! They talked about the wonderful time they had talking with Jesus down the road, and they just couldn't help talking about his strange disappearance. They got up from their meal and returned to Jerusalem where they told all the other disciples the good news that Jesus REALLY DID raise from the dead and had talked with them.

As they were talking Jesus appeared to them As they were talking, Jesus again appeared to them. They were afraid and thought they were seeing a ghost, but Jesus told them not to be afraid. He showed them His hands and feet where He had been nailed to the cross, so they would believe that it was really Him.

When they saw the nail holes in His hands and feet, they finally believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, just like He said He would. They were soooo happy and joyful to have their friend with them again. They were soooo excited that they had to tell EVERYBODY the good news that JESUS IS ALIVE!

Christ is risen

THINK!

1. Why were Jesus' friends so sad?
2. Why were guards placed around the tomb?
3. What caused the huge stone to be moved?
4. Who was the first to look inside the tomb?
5. Why was Jesus' body not in the tomb?
6. What did the angel say to Mary and the women with her?

REMEMBER:

Jesus Is Alive!


A VERSE TO LEARN

“He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:6).


PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Knowing Jesus is alive helps me by giving me hope. Can you think of ways knowing Jesus is alive
helps you?

[After discussion:] Because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Life is worth living because we know He holds the future. Knowing Jesus is alive helps us by giving
us courage, peace and strength, the hope of eternal life and a reason to live.

Are you facing something very difficult at home or school? Jesus is very much alive. He has
promised to never leave you. He hears you and sees you right where you are. He will be
right there when you call on Him for help. Let's stop now and thank God for all He has done
for us and ask Him to help us to never forget the gift of eternal life that He has given us.



LET'S PRAY

Dog and boy praying

****************************************************
Dear God, thank You that You sent your Son,
Jesus, to die for my sins. Thank You that He
arose from the dead and is now living, and
because He lives, I can have eternal life.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
****************************************************


CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?

Matthew 27:55 - 28:10
Mark 15:40 - 16:14
Luke 23:47 - 24:35
John 19:38 - 20:21


Duck with basket

Click Here for a Whole Page Full of Easter Resources

JUST FOR FUN

crayons

COLOR A PICTURE

He's Alive! (online)
He Is Risen (online)
He Is Not Here (online)
Boy at the Cross (online)
Jesus on the Cross (online)
Easter Hidden Pictures Activity Book (ages 8 to 10)
Easter--The Greatest Gift Activity Book (ages 8 to 10)
Jesus Loves Me Cross (online)
Jesus Rose From the Dead (online)
Colour the Bible Book 4: Matthew - Acts
Easter Color and Cut Out Activity Book
Jesus Lives Easter Coloring Book (ages 2 to 4)
The First Easter Coloring Book (ages 5 to 7)


crafts
DO A CRAFT

Easter Crafts (online)
Easter Crafts and Activities
Plant an Easter Garden (online)
Bible Crafts (online)
Puppet Crafts For Kids (online)


birds singing

SING A SONG


Alive, Alive, Alive Forevermore - Cedarmont Platinum Collection [Music Download]
Because (online)
The Miracle (online)

Alive, Alive!
A Very Veggie Easter (Veggie Tales)
Cedarmont Kids Easter Favorites
Donut Man: The Resurrection Celebration (watch online)
Donut Man On Tour & Resurrection DVD (includes Jumping Up & Down)
He Paid a Debt He Did Not Owe (watch online and sing along)

He's alive, He's alive, He's alive for evermore.
Jesus is risen from the dead!
(watch online and sing along)

I've Got No Doubt — Donut Man (online)
Jesus, Thank You for the Cross (MP3) (online)
Jumping Up and Down (online) (The Donut Man)
Wounded for Me (watch online)


child reading a book
READ A STORY

Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs

Easter Arch Books on CD: The Week That Led To Easter &
Jesus Washes Peter's Feet (2 books and 1 CD)


Jesus Is Alive
Kids Present the Easter Story (watch online)
Ready, Set, Find Easter
My Happy Easter Book (Revised) Easter Arch Books
The Beginner's Bible The Very First Easter
The Story of the Empty Tomb Arch Books


activities
DO A FUN ACTIVITY

Jesus Is Alive Puzzle (online)
Beginner's Bible: Come Celebrate Easter, Sticker & Activity Book
Jesus Saves - Online Game (online)
Resurrection of Jesus - Word Search (online)
Easter - A Time for Rejoicing - Online Word Search (online)


06515X: Resurrection Eggs, 30th Anniversary Edition
Resurrection Eggs

Resurrection Rolls - Snack Activity (online)


CDs and Videos
WATCH OR LISTEN

A Very Veggie Easter (Veggie Tales)
Ethel Barrett tells the story of Jesus' Death and Resurrection (watch online)
Jesus is Alive! | Easter Message for Kids (watch online)
Jesus Storybook Bible Animated DVD, Vol. 4
An Easter Carol (Re-Issue), DVD (Veggie Tales)
Resurrection—A Max Lucado Story
The Easter Story (watch online)
'Twas The Night Before Easter (Veggie Tales)


TEACHER RESOURCES

A whole page of Easter resources (online)
Free Bible images to go along with this story (online)
Jesus Is Crucified - Story and Activities (online)
Jesus Is Risen - Story and Activities (online)
Peter and John Visit Jesus' Tomb - Story and Activities (online)
Teach the Easter Story Using Technology (online)

Children's resources

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The Children\'s Chapel - Award-winning site featuring Bible stories from a variety of authors excellent Christian resources for children and over 140 links to other Christian and family-friendly sites for kids

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