Luke 24:1 to 24:12 Jesus conquered death and rose from the grave on Easter morning, and he is alive forever to be our friend and Savior! Discover why the women went to the tomb early on the first day of the week. Hear the joyful announcement of the angel: 'He is not here, but has risen!' Celebrate that Jesus is alive forever and gives us eternal life. Early on Sunday morning, women walked to the garden tomb carrying sweet spices to honor Jesus' body, but God had already rolled the heavy stone away! The Rolled Away Stone Very early on Sunday morning while the sky was still soft and gray, Mary Magdalene and other loving women walked quietly to the garden tomb. They carried sweet spices to anoint Jesus' body. As they walked, they wondered who would roll away the massive stone blocking the entrance. But when they arrived, they looked up and gasped in wonder: the giant stone had already been rolled away, and the tomb was wide open! Why Look for the Living Among the Dead? The women stepped inside the cool stone cave, but Jesus' body was not there. Suddenly, two men in dazzling clothes that shone like lightning stood beside them. The women bowed their faces to the ground in awe. The angels said with joyful smiles, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen! Remember how he told you in Galilee that the Son of Man must be crucified and on the third day rise!' Running with the Good News The women remembered Jesus' words, and their sorrow turned into bubbling joy! They ran all the way back to the city to tell the eleven disciples and everyone else. When [Peter](/bible/explorer/person/peter) heard this astonishing report, he jumped up and ran straight to the tomb. He bent down, looked inside, and saw the linen cloths lying all by themselves. Peter walked away marveling at the incredible miracle God had done. Jesus is truly alive! He is not here, but has risen. Luke 24:6 What surprising sight did the women see when they reached the garden tomb? The heavy stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty A locked iron door A pack of wolves A group of soldiers sleeping The heavy stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty Luke 24:2 tells us they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, and Jesus' body was gone. What did the shining angels announce to the women? He is not here, but has risen! Go back to your homes and cry Look for another teacher Build a wall around the garden He is not here, but has risen! The angels gave the greatest Easter announcement: Jesus conquered death and is alive! What did Peter see when he ran to look inside the tomb? The linen burial cloths lying by themselves A golden crown A Roman sword Empty clay jars The linen burial cloths lying by themselves Luke 24:12 records Peter seeing only the burial cloths, leaving him amazed at the resurrection. Say out loud with a big smile three times: 'Jesus is alive! He is risen indeed!' Share that good news with a friend today. Living Lord Jesus, you conquered death and the grave! I praise you because you are alive forever. Fill my heart with Easter joy every single day, and help me share your wonderful good news with everyone around me. Hallelujah! Amen. How do you think the women felt when their tears turned into joyful smiles? Why is Easter the happiest day of the year for followers of Jesus? Early readers celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, discovering that Jesus conquered death and lives forever. Bring a plastic Easter egg that is completely empty inside. Have a child open it. When they see it is empty, say: 'Just like this egg, the tomb of Jesus was empty on Easter morning because Jesus is alive!' Did Jesus ever die again after Easter? No! Jesus rose with an indestructible resurrection body, ascended to heaven, and lives forever and ever! 5 min Empty Egg Hook, 15 min Story Time, 10 min Easter Shouts Drill, 10 min Discussion, 5 min Prayer