The first Easter was a very exciting day. The apostle Paul tells us what happened in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8:

"I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. That part is:

Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say.

He was buried, and three days later he was raised to life, as the Scriptures say.

Christ appeared to Peter, and to the twelve.

After this, he appeared to more than five hundred other followers.

Most of them are still alive, but some have died.

He also appeared to James, and then to all of the apostles.

Finally, he appeared to me, even though I am like someone who was born at the wrong time."

On the first Easter, sorrow was turned to joy. The disciples were sad, because they thought that they would never see Jesus again. Jesus told his disciples, "For a little while you won't see me, but after a while you will see me" (John 16:16). Then, they were filled with joy, because they did see Jesus again! He appeared to them three days after he was buried. The Bible says: "The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders, and on the evening of that same Sunday they locked themselves in a room. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the middle of the group. He greeted them and showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they became very happy" (John 20:19, 20).

Easter is definitely a time to celebrate the joyous news that Jesus is alive!