Luke 23–24 · ESV memory verse below
The Cross and the Empty Tomb
Who is this?
Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified outside Jerusalem. Faithful women and friends watched, buried Him, and then found the tomb empty.
What happened?
Jesus gave His life for sinners, was buried, and rose on the first day of the week. The empty tomb means He is alive.
The story
Jesus was crucified at the place called The Skull. Soldiers cast lots for His clothes. Some mocked Him. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He gave His life—not only as a helpless victim, but as the Lamb who takes away sin.
When evening came, a good and righteous man named Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus’ body. He wrapped it in linen and laid it in a tomb cut in rock, where no one had ever been laid. A great stone was rolled against the entrance.
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, women came with spices. They found the stone rolled away. When they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Two men in bright clothing said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”
Jesus showed Himself alive to many witnesses. He opened the Scriptures and sent His people to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name to all nations. The cross and the empty tomb belong together: He died for us, and He lives.
Memory verse (ESV)
He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee.
Luke 24:6
Talk about it
Ages ~4–7
- Did Jesus stay in the tomb?
- What did the messengers say—“He is risen”?
Ages ~8–12
- Why do the cross and the empty tomb belong together?
- What does Jesus send His people to proclaim?
- Who needs to hear that Jesus is risen?
Family activity
Use a napkin “stone” over a cup “tomb,” then roll it away and say, “He is risen.”
Parent take-home
Read Luke 23:33–46 and 24:1–12 (or Mark 15–16 in short pieces). The cross and the empty tomb belong together. Practice Luke 24:6: “He is not here, but has risen.”
Talk on the way home
- What did the women find at the tomb?
- What did the messengers say about Jesus?
- Why does an empty tomb change everything for us?
Longer family guide: Week 15 on the family page.
In the PDF: coloring page, memory verse with blanks, plus kid activities (draw). Draw the main moment—keep it simple. Label one word from the story.
For parents and teachers
Speak plainly of the cross and the resurrection. Do not skip either. Children can bear the truth if you bear it with hope: He died for sins; He is risen. Read Luke 24:5–7 twice.