EASTER STORY

Outside the walls of Jerusalem, there was a hill called Calvary.  There were three dark crosses on the hill.  On two of them were thieves who were punished for bad things they did. Jesus Christ was put on the cross in the center with nails through His hands and feet.

On Friday morning, Jesus was brought before the Roman governor of Jerusalem for trial.  The priests were accusing Jesus of lying.  He is telling lies to many people throughout Judea, said one man.  He claims to be the Son of God and calls himself the Messiah said another.  Jesus remained silent and did not answer to these accusations.  The governor asked Jesus in private, Are you the King of the Jews?.  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world; if it were of this world, then would My servants fight for Me.  Jesus continues, I am a king, and all who know the truth, know that my words are true.  The governor did not know the truth but he knew that Jesus was not an ordinary man and could not sentence him to death, but the wicked priests of Jerusalem insisted the Jesus be crucified.

Jesus mother Mary and His disciple John stood beside His cross comforting each other.  A group of Jews close by said to Jesus, If you are truly the Son of God, then come down from the cross.  Then they went away saying, He saved others but He cannot save Himself. Shortly after, the sky was filled with clouds and Jerusalem became dark.  The darkness lasted for many hours.  At that moment, all the evil in the world gathered around Jesus Christ, but the power of evil could not break the strong spirit of the mighty Son of God.  The spirit of Jesus left His body and went up to the heavens. The body of Jesus, wrapped in a white shroud, was carried into a cave where it was to be buried. The Roman governor, advised by the priests, ordered that the tomb of Jesus be guarded by soldiers.  The priests told the governor, The tomb must be watched, so that his disciples cannot steal him away and say that he is risen from the dead. Jesus apostles were very sad and miserable, for their beloved teacher and master was no longer with them.

Bible Stories: Easter Sunday and the resurrection of Jesus

Early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalen, along with other women, went to visit the tomb of Jesus.  To their surprise, the soldiers who were supposed to be guarding the tomb were not there.  They were even more surprised and afraid because the tomb was opened and the body of Jesus disappeared.  Mary Magdalen went inside the cave while she was crying.  She saw two angels inside. Why are you crying? the angels asked her.  Because they have taken away my Lord she answered.  And then another voice behind her said to her, Mary, why do you cry?. She turned around and realized that it was Jesus standing behind her.  She could not believe her eyes.  She went and told the apostles, I have seen the Lord!.  The apostles could not believe it either that Jesus was alive.  The great news was too good to be true.  As the apostles were gathered together speaking about all of this, Jesus appeared among them and said Peace be unto you.  As soon as they saw Him, the apostles knew that it was Jesus Himself, their beloved teacher.  This was the happiest moment in their life.

At this point, many people in Jerusalem were talking about seeing Jesus. When the news reached the governor, he asked the soldiers what happened.  The soldiers said that as they were guarding the tomb of Jesus, an angel came down from heaven and opened the tomb and Jesus rose up from His grave.

Forty days after Easter Sunday, Jesus and His apostles went to the Mount of Olives.  He told them, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  And remember that I am always with you.  As Jesus said this, He raised His hand and blessed His apostles.  Then He went up to His father in the heavens.  The apostles were not sad when Jesus left them, because they remembered His words, I am always with you, and they knew that it was true.