The Empty Tomb and the Risen King
(Matthew 28:1-10)
The sun had not yet painted the sky with its first colors on that Sunday morning. It was still dark and quiet. Two women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, walked along the dusty path. Their hearts were heavy with sadness. They had watched their dear friend Jesus die on a cross just a few days before. Their tears fell like raindrops as they remembered his kind words and loving touch. They wanted to go to the tomb where his body had been laid. They planned to put sweet-smelling spices on his body to show how much they loved him.
As they walked, the ground beneath their feet suddenly began to shake. The earth trembled like a giant was waking up. A bright angel of the Lord came down from heaven. He was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow. He rolled the big stone away from the entrance of the tomb and sat on top of it. The guards who had been watching the tomb were so terrified that they began to shake like leaves in a storm. They fell to the ground like dead men, too frightened to move.
The angel spoke to the two women in a calm and gentle voice. He said, "Do not be afraid". His words were like a warm blanket on a cold night. Then he told them the most wonderful news anyone could ever hear. He said, "He is not here; He has risen". The angel invited them to come and see the place where Jesus had been lying. The tomb was empty! The stone was rolled away, and the grave was open.
The angel gave them an important job. He told them to go quickly and tell Jesus's disciples that he had risen from the dead. He said Jesus would go ahead of them to Galilee, and they would see him there. Imagine their joy! Their sadness was turning into bubbly happiness. They left the tomb quickly, filled with both fear and great joy. They ran to tell the disciples the good news.
Suddenly, as they were running, Jesus himself met them. He was alive! He said, "Greetings!" They fell at his feet and worshiped him. They held onto his feet, so happy to see him. Jesus told them, "Do not be afraid". He told them to go and tell his brothers to go to Galilee, where they would see him. The women ran to share the news that the Resurrection had happened. The world would never be the same. Jesus had conquered death forever.
A Curious Question
If you had been there when the angel rolled the stone away, what would you have thought when you saw the empty tomb and heard that Jesus is alive?
Old Testament Connection
God's plan for the resurrection was woven throughout the Old Testament. The prophet David wrote in Psalm 16:10 that God would not abandon his Holy One to decay in the grave. This was a prophecy about Jesus. Also, the prophet Isaiah wrote that the Messiah would conquer death. The resurrection was the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant, where God promised to bless all nations. It also showed that Jesus is the ultimate Passover Lamb whose sacrifice brings life. The entire Old Testament points to this moment when God's power over death is displayed for all to see. It is the cornerstone of our Christian Faith.
Discussion Questions
- How do you think Mary Magdalene and the other Mary felt when they saw the angel and heard that Jesus had risen?
- The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples. Why is sharing good news important, especially the news about Jesus?
- What does the empty tomb teach us about who Jesus really is?
So What? What Can I Do?
- Have you ever been sad about something and then gotten wonderful news? How did it make you want to share it with others?
- Who is someone in your life that needs to hear the good news that Jesus loves them and is alive?
- What can you do this week to remember that Jesus is alive and with you every single day?
Memorize God's Word
He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. - Matthew 28:6
• He is not here point to the ground and then wave your hand across your body as if looking for something.
• He has risen lift both of your hands high above your head, reaching up to the sky.
• just as He said point up to heaven with both index fingers to show the words came from God.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins and for raising him from the dead. Help us to remember that the tomb is empty and that Jesus is alive. Give us boldness to share this good news with others. We love you and praise your holy name. Amen.
Craft or Activity
Empty Tomb Diorama
Materials Checklist
How to Make the Empty Tomb Diorama:
- Turn your small box on its side so the opening is facing you. This is the tomb.
- Use the modeling clay to shape a small cave inside the box, or glue gray paper to the inside to look like stone walls.
- Make a large round stone out of the clay and place it to the side of the tomb opening.
- Use the white fabric to wrap around a craft stick to represent the body of Jesus that was laid in the tomb.
- Now, leave the craft stick body outside the tomb to show that Jesus is not there. Put a note inside the tomb that says "He is Risen!"
- Use small rocks and pebbles to decorate the outside of the box and make the scene look like a garden.
- You can even add a small angel made from clay or cotton balls on top of the stone.
Effective Teaching Techniques
For Younger Children: Focus on the emotional journey of the story. Let them act out the feelings of sadness turning to joy. Use simple terms to explain the resurrection like, "Jesus was dead, but God made him alive again."
Prep Shortcut: For the craft, pre-cut the cardboard boxes and prepare the clay. Have all the materials pre-sorted into individual bags to save time during the lesson.
Classroom Management: Use a dramatic pause when telling about the angel rolling the stone away. Whisper the part where the women are scared, then shout with joy when you say, "He has risen!" This keeps kids engaged and focused on the story.
For Older Kids: Challenge them to find other Bible verses that talk about the resurrection. Have them look up 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 and discuss why this event is so central to our faith. Discuss the historical evidence for the empty tomb and why it matters.