adapted from Matthew 26-28 by Lisa Brock

Jesus was supposed to eat the Passover dinner with them. The disciples were waiting for Him at a friend’s house in Jerusalem.

Soon Jesus arrived and gave thanks to God for the food. During the meal, Jesus broke some bread and shared it with His disciples.

"This is My body," He said.

Then Jesus filled His cup and passed it around the table.

"This is My blood that has been poured out for the sins of the world."

After they had eaten, they sang a hymn of praise to God. Then Jesus and the disciples went to the Mount of Olives.

"Tonight others will ask you, 'Where is Jesus?' and you will pretend you don't know me," Jesus said.

Peter spoke quickly, “Even if all the others do, I never will.”

Jesus turned and looked at Peter. "Before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times." At a garden called Gethsemane, Jesus told His friends to pray for Him. Jesus knew He would soon be killed. He asked God to spare His life but promised to follow God's plan. While Jesus was praying, the disciples fell asleep. By the time they awoke, Jesus had finished praying.

Just then Judas and some soldiers came into the garden.

"Where is Jesus?" the soldiers asked.

Judas walked up to Jesus and kissed Him (that way the soldiers knew who Jesus was). The soldiers arrested Him. Peter drew his sword and cut off a soldier’s ear.

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him. "Do you think I cannot call on My Father to send angels to fight for Me? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled?"

So Jesus allowed the soldiers to take Him away. They took Him to stand trial before the high priest and other church leaders. They accused Him of opposing God and the Roman government.

While Jesus was on trial, people outside asked Peter, "Where is Jesus? Aren't you with Him?"

"I don't know what you’re talking about," Peter said.

Two more times, Peter denied being one of Jesus’ disciples.

"I don't know the man!" Peter yelled for a second time. Then he heard a rooster crow.

The Jewish church leaders found Jesus guilty. They took Him to Pilate, the Roman governor, to be sentenced.

"Where is Jesus?" the governor asked. Jesus was brought before him. "Are you the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked.

Jesus didn’t defend Himself against the charges. So Pilate sentenced Him to death on a cross. Jesus was beaten by soldiers. They placed a crown of thorns on His head. Then they nailed Him on a cross at Calvary to die.

Soldiers stole His clothes. Many people cursed Jesus and shouted, "Where is God? Why doesn't He save You?"

A few people showed mercy to Jesus, offering Him water. Jesus called out to God, and then He died. His friends removed His body from the cross and prepared it for burial.

Jesus was placed in a rich man's tomb. A large stone blocked the entrance. Centurion soldiers stood guard outside the tomb. After three days, an earthquake shook Jerusalem. The soldiers ran away.

Two women came to visit Jesus' tomb. When they arrived the soldiers were gone, the tomb was empty and an angel sat on the stone.

"Where is Jesus?" the women asked the angel.

"Don't be afraid," the angel answered. "The One you are looking for is risen, just as He said!"

The women looked in the tomb, then ran to share the wonderful news with the disciples. On their way, Jesus appeared before them and said, "Tell My brothers to go to Galilee."

The disciples rushed to Galilee as quickly as they could. Jesus came to them.

"Go and make disciples of all nations," he said. "When people ask, 'Where is Jesus?' Tell them 'He is risen.' Baptize them and teach them to obey everything I have commanded. If people want to find Me, all they have to do is ask."

	Q: What dessert do birds like best? A: Chocolate “chirp” cookies. Rawlin K., 11, Louisiana Clubhouse Jr. Click here to subscribe