Jesus Loves Us So Much

Matthew 26:36, 47-50; 27:1-28:8

Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew was a disciple of Jesus. That means Jesus was his teacher. And the word gospel means “good news!”

One night, Jesus went to a quiet garden to pray. He knew that something very hard was going to happen, but Jesus talked to God because He trusted Him.


While Jesus was praying, a group of people came with torches and swords. They were led by one of Jesus’ helpers named Judas, who had made a bad choice. Judas gave Jesus a kiss—that was the sign so the people would know who Jesus was. They took Jesus away.


The people were not kind to Jesus. They made fun of Him, they hurt Him, and they put a crown made of sharp thorns on His head. Then they put Jesus on a cross, and He died there. Jesus had never done anything wrong, but He died because He loves us.


After Jesus died, His friends placed His body in a tomb, and a big stone was rolled in front of it. Everyone was very sad.


But early on the third day, something amazing happened! Two women named Mary came to visit the tomb. 


When they got there, the stone was rolled away—and an angel was sitting there! The angel said, “Do not be afraid. Jesus is not here. He is alive!” 


The women were so happy! They ran to tell Jesus’ friends the good news: “Jesus is alive!”


Jesus loves us so much that He was willing to be hurt and die on the cross. But Jesus didn’t stay dead—He came back to life! Now we can be happy and thankful, because Jesus is alive, and He loves us forever.


Dear God,

Thank You for Jesus. Thank You that He loves us so much. Even though people were not kind to Him, Jesus still chose to love and forgive. Thank You that Jesus didn’t stay in the tomb—He came back to life! Help us remember every day that Jesus is alive and He loves us very much. We love you, God.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.





Bible Verse: “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” — Matthew 28:6, BSB

Paraphrase: Jesus is alive, just like He said!



Activities

These activities help preschoolers engage with the story through movement, crafts, music, and storytelling, making the lesson fun and memorable.


1. “Jesus Is Alive!” Parade (Music Activity)

Objective: Celebrate the resurrection through movement and joyful praise.

Materials: Musical instruments (shakers, tambourines, or homemade instruments), scarves or ribbons.

Activity:

• Play a happy song about Jesus (instrumental or preschool worship song).

• Let children march around the room with instruments and ribbons, singing or shouting:
“Jesus is alive!”

• Pause the music and ask questions like:
            “Who came to the tomb?”
            “What did the angel say?”

• Explain: “We’re celebrating because Jesus is alive!”


2. Resurrection Stone Craft

Objective: Help children visualize the stone being rolled away from the tomb.

Materials: Paper plates, crayons or markers, brads (paper fasteners), scissors.

Activity:

• Cut one paper plate in half. Let each child decorate the full plate as the tomb and the half plate as the stone.

• Attach the half plate over the full one using a brad, so the “stone” can roll away.

• As they “roll the stone away,” say together: “The tomb is empty—Jesus is alive!”

• Encourage the children to tell someone the good news at home.


3. Angel Relay Game

Objective: Reinforce the moment when the angel delivered the joyful news.

Materials: A toy or picture of an angel, plastic eggs or small notes with “Jesus is alive!” written inside.

Activity:

• Have children take turns being the “angel messenger” by carrying the message from one side of the room to the other.

• Each child delivers the message and says: “Jesus is alive!”

• Explain: “The angel told the women that Jesus is alive. We can share the good news too!”


4. Jesus Loves Us Heart Art

Objective: Help children express gratitude for Jesus’ love.

Materials: Paper hearts, markers or crayons, stickers.

Activity:

• Give each child a heart shape to decorate with the words: “Jesus loves me.”

• Let them color and add stickers.

• Encourage them to say, “Jesus loves me and He is alive!”

• Optionally, children can give their heart to a family member to share the good news.

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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.
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