He Is Risen!

“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said!” — Matthew 28:6

Very early on Sunday morning, the first day of the week, while it was still dark, some women set off for the tomb. Mary Magdalene was there, and another Mary, and some others. They were carrying the spices they had prepared, to put on Jesus’ body.

“Who will roll the stone away from the entrance for us?” they asked each other. The stone was very big, much too heavy for them to move.

But early that morning there had been a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord had come down from heaven, rolled back the stone, and sat on it! His face shone like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and fell down like dead men.

When the women arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone had already been rolled away!

They went into the tomb. But Jesus’ body wasn’t there.

They didn’t know what to think. Suddenly two men in shining clothes were standing beside them. The women were terrified and bowed down with their faces to the ground.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” the angels asked. “He is not here. He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that He must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again?”

Then they remembered Jesus’ words.

“Do not be afraid,” said the angel. “I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here. He has risen, just as He said! Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead, and He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’”

The women hurried away from the tomb, afraid and yet filled with great joy, and ran to tell the disciples.

And on the way, suddenly, Jesus met them! “Greetings!” He said. They came to Him, held on to His feet, and worshipped Him.

“Don’t be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. They will see Me there.”

The women told the disciples everything. But at first the disciples didn’t believe them. It sounded like nonsense!

Jesus is alive! He really died, but He didn’t stay dead. On the third day, just as He had promised, He rose from the dead. Death couldn’t hold Him.

That means Jesus really did defeat sin and death. He is stronger than death. And everyone who trusts in Him will live for ever with Him too.

This is the best news in the whole world. It’s why Christians celebrate Easter. Jesus is risen!

Read it in your Bible: Matthew 28:1–10; Luke 24:1–12

Jesus, you are alive! Thank you that you rose from the dead, just as you promised. Thank you that you have beaten death, and that I can live for ever with you. Hallelujah! Amen.