Jesus’ Burial and ResurrectionMt 27:57-61; 28:1,5-8; Mk 15:42–16:8; Lk 23:50–24:10; Jn 19:31-42

12

Jesus died on a cross on Friday afternoon.Only a few hours were left until sunset, whenthe Sabbath Day would begin. The Jewish leadersdid not want the bodies of Jesus and the twothieves left hanging on the crosses during theSabbath. So they went to Pilate and said, “Tellyour soldiers to go out to Calvary and break thelegs of Jesus and those thieves. Then they’ll diemore quickly and their bodies can be takendown and buried.”

Pilate sent his soldiers to do what theJews had asked. The soldiers used their heavyclubs to break the legs of the thieves. But whenthey came to Jesus, they saw that he was alreadydead. So instead of breaking his legs, one of thesoldiers stabbed his spear into Jesus’ side. Whenhe saw blood and water flow out of the wound,the soldier was sure that Jesus was dead.

Later that afternoon, a man named Josephwent to Pilate. Joseph was a follower of Jesus.He asked Pilate, “May I have the body of Jesus?I’ll take it down from the cross and bury it.”

After Pilate told Joseph that he could buryJesus’ body, Joseph and another believer named

Nicodemus went outto Calvary. The twomen took Jesus’ bodydown from the cross.

Joseph owneda large garden nearCalvary. In this gardenwas a new grave thatJoseph had made forhimself. This grave waslike a cave, cut out ofa hillside. Joseph andNicodemus took Jesus’dead body to thisgrave. There they putsweet-smelling spicesin strips of cloth and

wrapped the strips around Jesus’ body. Then theygently laid his body in the grave. When they werefinished, they rolled a large stone in front of thedoorway to the grave and sadly walked away.

Some women who were friends of Jesushad watched the two men bury him. Theywanted to help get Jesus’ body ready for burial,but there was not enough time to get morespices. The sun was setting, and the Sabbath Daywould soon begin. No work could be done onthe Sabbath Day. So they went home, saying,“On Sunday, after the Sabbath Day is over, we’llcome back and put more spices in Jesus’ grave.”

Very early on Sunday morning, the womenstarted out for Jesus’ grave. One of them wasMary Magdalene. The women carried spices toput on Jesus’ body. On the way, they thoughtabout the heavy stone that blocked the door ofthe grave. They asked one another, “Who willroll away the stone for us?”

But when they came to the grave,the women could hardly believe what theysaw.“Look!” they said. “The stone is alreadyrolled away!”

GRADES 1-2 | SS | YEAR 1 | SPRING | LESSON 12

© 2012 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

When Mary Magdalene saw that the stonehad been moved, she didn’t go any farther. Sheran to tell the disciples what she had seen. Butthe other women hurried to the grave and wentinside. They didn’t see Jesus’ body anywhere. Butwhat they did see amazed them! In the cave satan angel, wearing a white robe that was as brightas lightning!

The women were filled with fear. But theangel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. You are

looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.He is not here. He has risen, just as he said hewould. Come see for yourselves!” Then the angeltold them, “Go and tell Jesus’ disciples that hehas risen from the dead. Tell them that they willsoon see him again.”

Now the women were filled with joybecause of the angel’s message. They ran all theway back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples thegood news. Jesus had risen! He was alive!

Throughout hislife, Jesus did manymiracles that showedhis power as God’sSon. In this lesson

we learn about his most glorious miracle—rising from the dead. By his resurrection, Jesusshowed the world that he truly is God’s Sonand the Savior.

1. In the Bible story, find and circle two thingsthat happened to Jesus to show he was trulydead. Then draw a happy face near the goodnews about Jesus that the angel told the women.

2. Have the family read Matthew 16:16; Mark1:11; and John 3:16. These passages show thatJesus truly is God’s Son and the Savior. Thencompose a prayer thanking Jesus for coming tosave you.

Dear living Savior, God’s own Son,My salvation you have won.Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

* The Second Articleof the Apostles’ Creed

I believe in Jesus Christ,his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,born of the virgin Mary, suffered underPontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and wasburied. He descended into hell. The thirdday he rose again from the dead. Heascended into heaven and is seated at theright hand of God the Father almighty.From there he will come to judge theliving and the dead.

Hymn 152:1I know that my Redeemer lives;What comfort this sweet sentence gives!He lives, he lives, who once was dead;He lives, my ever-living Head!