JESUS IS ALIVE! (EASTER STORY FOR CHILDREN)
On Thursday night, while praying in a garden, Jesus was taken to the Romans. On the next afternoon, which was a Friday, Jesus was put to death by hanging on a cross. (In the centuries to follow, Christians called this day Good Friday.)
After Jesus died, a man named Joseph (from a place called Arimathea) put Jesus in His tomb that nobody had ever used. The tombs they used then were cut out of rock, almost like a cave, they weren’t buried deep in the ground like they are now. Before Joseph left, he and some men rolled a large heavy stone in front of the tomb.
Jesus’ closest disciples, Mary and Mary Magdalene made spices and oils as a sign of respect to Jesus and went very early Sunday morning to go see His body.
As they were just about at the tomb, the earth suddenly shook and an angel came down from heaven.He easily rolled away the stone at the entrance of the tomb and sat on top of it.
The women looked at each other and rubbed their eyes since they couldn’t believe what they had seen. The angel was so bright — almost as bright as lightning! His clothes were as white as snow.
There had been guards watching the tomb so no one would steal Jesus’ body. When they saw the angel, they fell over and they couldn’t move or speak because they were so afraid.
Then the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus who has died. But He isn’t here; He has risen just as He said He would! Come and see for yourself, the tomb is empty.”
The women were confused. How could this happen? They were sure Jesus had died, and now He was alive? They looked in the tomb and the cloth Jesus had been wrapped in, was lying on the ground; the tomb was empty. Then the angel spoke again, “If you want to find Jesus, He’s on his way to Galilee.”
So the women hurried away, They were laughing and crying at the same time. They didn’t know what to feel; they had been so sad that Jesus was dead and now they were so excited that He was alive! They just knew they had to find Jesus, and they had to tell the disciples the good news.
As they were running down the path, they turned a corner, and there was Jesus. “Greetings,” He said. The ladies fell at His feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my disciples to come to Galilee. That is where they will see me.”
The disciples came to Galilee, having heard by this time that Jesus was alive. They were sitting around talking about it when Jesus walked into the room and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
The disciples immediately stopped talking. Even though they had heard He was alive, they were shocked to see Him standing there with them. Jesus said to them, “Why do you look at me like you’ve just seen a ghost? Why don’t you believe what you’re seeing? Look at the scars in my hands and feet. It is really me! Touch me and see, I am not a ghost but a real person.”
The disciple’s mouths were open in amazement because they still didn’t know what to think. They were so full of joy, and yet it was impossible. Jesus understood what they were thinking, so He said, “This is what I told you would happen” . Jesus had told the disciples when they had the Last Supper together; they took the bread at communion and Jesus said, “this is my body which I have given to you…” but the disciples hadn’t understood what it really meant.
Then Jesus told them, “You have seen these things that have happened, so stay in the city and soon I am going to give you what God has promised you: the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus had one more person to see. His name was Thomas, and he was one of the disciples that wasn’t there when Jesus met with them. Thomas had also heard that Jesus was alive, but would not believe until he saw Jesus with his own eyes.
A week later when Thomas finally saw Jesus, Jesus said to him, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Stop doubting and believe.” But Jesus continued, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; but it is more amazing for those who don’t see me, and believe anyway.”
That is exactly what faith is: ‘believing in God even though you can’t see Him.’
[Ref : http://www.dltk-bible.com]