After Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples were hiding, afraid and sad. Their Master was dead. All their hopes seemed to be over.

The women who followed Jesus were also in mourning. On the Sabbath, they rested according to Jewish law. But as soon as the Sabbath ended, they began preparing aromatic spices to anoint Jesus' body.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb carrying the spices they had prepared.

As they walked, they worried: "Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?" The stone was very large and heavy!

But when they arrived and looked, they saw that the stone - that huge stone! - had already been removed!

There had been a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord had descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it! His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes white as snow!

The guards watching the tomb were so terrified that they trembled and became like dead men!

But the angel said to the women:

Jesus was not there! The tomb was empty!

The women entered the tomb. They saw the linen cloths in which Jesus' body had been wrapped, but the body was not there!

They were perplexed. What had happened?

Then they saw two men in dazzling apparel - they were angels! The women bowed their faces to the ground in fear.

But the angels said:

Then they remembered Jesus' words! He had said He would rise on the third day!

The angels said, "Go quickly and tell the disciples that He has risen from the dead!"

The women left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy! What incredible news! Jesus was alive!

They ran to tell the disciples.

As they ran, suddenly Jesus appeared before them and said, "Greetings!"

The women came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him!

Jesus said to them:

Mary Magdalene and the other women ran to tell the disciples: "We have seen the Lord! He is alive!"

When Peter and John heard that the tomb was empty, they ran there.

John ran faster and arrived first. He looked inside and saw the linen cloths, but didn't enter.

Then Peter arrived and entered the tomb. He saw the linen cloths and the face cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.

Then John also entered. He saw and believed! Until then they had not understood the Scripture, that it was necessary for Jesus to rise from the dead.

The tomb was empty! The cloths were there, but Jesus was not! He had risen!

That afternoon, two disciples were going to a village called Emmaus. They talked sadly about all that had happened.

As they talked, Jesus approached and began to walk with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.

Jesus asked, "What are these words that you are exchanging with each other as you walk?"

They stopped, looking sad, and one of them, named Cleopas, answered, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

Jesus asked, "What things?"

They told Him about Jesus of Nazareth, how He had been crucified, and how they had hoped He was the one to redeem Israel. And now, on the third day, some women were saying He was alive!

Then Jesus explained to them: "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"

And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus explained to them everything in the Scriptures concerning Himself.

When they approached the village, Jesus acted as if He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is late!"

Jesus entered to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.

It was Jesus! He was alive! But at that moment He vanished from their sight!

The two disciples said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"

They rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven apostles gathered together, and told how Jesus had appeared to them and how they recognized Him in the breaking of the bread!

That same evening, the disciples were gathered with the doors locked, for fear of the Jews.

Suddenly, Jesus appeared in their midst and said:

The disciples were frightened, thinking He was a spirit!

But Jesus said, "Why are you troubled? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me, and see! A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have!"

Jesus showed them His hands and feet - they could see the marks of the nails! And He showed them His side, where the spear had pierced.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord! Jesus was alive! Truly risen!

Jesus breathed on them and said:

Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus appeared. The other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But Thomas answered, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe!"

Eight days later, the disciples were gathered again, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked.

Jesus appeared and said, "Peace be with you!"

Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands! Reach out your hand, and place it in my side! Do not disbelieve, but believe!"

Thomas answered:

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed!"

For forty days, Jesus appeared many times to the disciples. He ate with them, taught them, prepared them for their mission.

On one occasion, Jesus appeared to more than five hundred people at once! Many witnesses saw the risen Jesus!

He showed that He was truly alive - not a ghost or vision. He had a real body, could eat, could be touched.

But it was also a glorified body, transformed. He could appear and disappear, pass through locked doors. He was the same Jesus, but risen and glorified!

What does Jesus' resurrection mean for us?

First, it means Jesus is who He said He was - the Son of God! The resurrection proves it!

Second, it means Jesus conquered death! Death had no power over Him. He is alive forever!

Third, it means our sins are forgiven! Jesus died for our sins and rose, showing that the payment was accepted!

Fourth, it means we will also rise one day! As Jesus rose, all who believe in Him will also rise!

Fifth, it means there is hope! No matter how difficult things are, Jesus won! Life conquers death! Good conquers evil! Light conquers darkness!

The resurrection of Jesus is the best news of all! That's why we celebrate Easter with such joy. Jesus Christ has risen! He lives! And because He lives, we too shall live!

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!