Jesus never did anything wrong — not even one sin. But some men hated Him, and they had Him put on a cross to die. It was a very sad day. Jesus' friends cried, and the sky grew dark in the middle of the day.

Why did Jesus die on the cross? He died for us. The Bible says that Jesus took the punishment for our sins — all the wrong things we have done — so that we can be forgiven and live with God forever. That is how much Jesus loves you.

Before He died, Jesus prayed for the very men who hurt Him, asking His Father to forgive them. His last words were, “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Then Jesus died, and His friends gently laid His body in a tomb — a small cave in the rock — and rolled a great stone across the door.

For three days, everything was quiet and sad. But early on Sunday morning, some women went to the tomb — and the stone was rolled away, and the tomb was empty! An angel told them the best news anyone has ever heard: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Jesus is alive! He rose from the dead, just as He said He would. He is alive today, and anyone who believes in Him and trusts Him as Saviour will live forever with Him. That is the happiest news in the whole Bible!