Jesus rises from the grave

One of Jesus’ followers was a rich man called Joseph of Arimathea. Pilate gave him Jesus’ body. Joseph and his friend Nicodemus took Jesus’ body to a garden near Golgotha. They wrapped his body in clean linen cloths. Then they put him in a tomb that belonged to Joseph. The tomb had never been used before. It was cut out of the rock, like a cave. Joseph rolled a big stone in front of the entrance of the tomb.

The day after Jesus died was the Sabbath day, so everyone stayed home. Early the next morning, Mary Magdalene and some of the other women went to the tomb. It was still dark, but Mary could see that the stone wasn’t in front of the entrance. Someone had moved the stone! Mary was frightened and ran back to the city. She said to Peter and John, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb! We don’t know where they have put him!” Peter and John ran to the tomb. John reached the tomb first but didn’t enter. When Peter arrived, they both went in and saw that Jesus wasn’t there. They only saw strips of linen on the bench. They were sad because they didn’t understand that Jesus had risen from the dead. Peter and John went home again, but Mary stayed near the tomb. She was so sad that she began to cry. Then she looked into the tomb again and saw two angels sitting on the bench where Jesus’ body had been. They asked her, “Why are you crying?” “I don’t know where to find Jesus,” Mary answered.

Then she turned around and saw a man standing there. She thought he was the gardener. The man asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

“Sir, did you carry him away?” she asked. “Tell me where you put him. Then I will go and get him.” Then the man said her name, and she recognised him. It was Jesus! Jesus told her, “Go to the disciples. Tell them that I have risen from the dead, and that I am going to ascend to my Father in heaven.” Mary was very happy. She had seen Jesus. He was alive! She went back to the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what Jesus had said. That same evening the disciples were all together. They had locked the doors because they were afraid. Suddenly Jesus stood there with them. “May peace be with you!” he said. Then he showed them his hands and his side. It was really Jesus. And he was alive! John 20