Easter

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. People spread coats and branches on the road. The crowds shouted “Hosanna!” It means “Save us!” They welcomed Jesus like a king.

Soon, Jesus shared a special meal with his twelve disciples, his closest followers. He broke bread and passed round a cup. He said it was his blood, poured out so people could be forgiven. Afterwards, Jesus prayed. He was very sad, but he chose to obey his Father. Then Judas brought a crowd with swords and clubs. He was one of the disciples! They arrested Jesus, and all the others ran away.

On Friday, soldiers put Jesus on a cross to die. Some people made fun of him. At midday, the whole land went dark. Then Jesus cried out and died. Jesus never did anything wrong. But we all do wrong things. The Bible calls this sin. Jesus loves us, so he took the punishment for our sin, to rescue us.

That evening, Joseph, a follower of Jesus, wrapped Jesus’ body in clean cloth. He laid it in a new tomb cut out of rock. He rolled a big stone across the entrance.

On Sunday, the third day, two women called Mary went to the tomb. Suddenly the ground shook. An angel rolled the stone away and sat on it. “Don’t be afraid,” he told the women. “Jesus is not here! He has risen, just as he said he would!” The women hurried off to tell the disciples, afraid but full of joy. Then Jesus met them! They held his feet and worshipped him.

Later, Jesus met his disciples. He really was alive! Ever since the garden of Eden, sin has spoiled God’s world. Now Jesus has beaten sin and death. Everyone who trusts Jesus can be forgiven and become God’s friend for ever.