The First Easter

Come and see the most joyful morning of all! The big stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and Jesus is alive again.

Jesus’ friends loved Him with all their hearts. But something very sad had happened — Jesus had died on a cross for us, and His friends’ eyes were full of tears. A kind man named Joseph laid Him gently in a quiet tomb, like a little cave in the rock, and rolled a big, big stone in front of the door. His friends walked home softly, missing Him so. They did not yet know what a wonderful surprise was on its way.

Very early on Sunday morning, while the sky was just turning soft and pink, Mary Magdalene and her friends set out to visit the tomb. They carried sweet-smelling spices, the way you might bring flowers to someone you love. Their feet hurried along the quiet path, and the little birds were only beginning to sing. “Who will roll away the big stone for us?” they wondered as they walked. But God had a beautiful plan that they could not yet see.

When the women reached the garden, they stopped and gasped. The big, heavy stone was already rolled away! They peeked inside the quiet tomb — and it was empty. Jesus was not there at all. Their hearts went thump, thump, thump, full of wonder at what it could possibly mean.

Then, all at once, two shining messengers appeared, bright as the morning sunshine. The women felt startled, but the messengers said softly, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here — He has risen! Remember what Jesus told you.” The women listened, their eyes growing wide and bright.

Jesus was alive! The women hurried to tell His friends what they had seen and heard. At first, the friends found the news hard to believe. Peter ran to the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. Later, Jesus appeared to His friends Himself. Their sadness turned to joy as they began to understand: Jesus had risen!

What a wonderful, joyful day that was — and it still fills our hearts with happiness today. Jesus died to take away our sins, the wrong things we do, and then He came back to life! Now everyone who trusts in Jesus can be forgiven and be God’s friend forever. His love is stronger than anything sad — even stronger than death — and it lasts forever and ever. So whenever Easter comes, we can smile and remember the empty tomb. Jesus is alive, and God’s love will never, ever end.

Thank You, God, for the happy Easter morning when Jesus rose again and the tomb was empty. Thank You that Your love is stronger than anything sad and lasts forever and ever.