The First Easter

Jesus had done nothing wrong. Even Pilate, the ruler, said, "I find no fault in this man." But the crowd kept shouting, "Crucify him!" And at last Pilate let them have their way.

The soldiers led Jesus to a place called Calvary. There they put him on a cross to die, with two other men beside him. It was a very sad day. But even then, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

About noon the sky grew dark, and it stayed dark for three hours. Then Jesus called out, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." And he died. His friends stood far off, watching, and the women wept.

A good man named Joseph took Jesus' body down. He wrapped it in linen and laid it in a tomb cut out of stone. The women saw where he was laid, and then they rested, for it was the sabbath.

Very early on the first day of the week, the women came back with sweet spices. But the stone was rolled away! The tomb was empty. Suddenly two men in shining clothes stood by them and said, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He is risen!"

The women remembered Jesus' words and ran to tell his friends. At first the friends could not believe it. But then Jesus himself stood among them and said, "Peace be unto you." He showed them his hands and his feet. He even ate a piece of fish with them. It was really him — alive!

The sadness turned into gladness. Jesus blessed his friends, and they were filled with great joy, praising God.