When Jesus died on the cross, his friends and family were very sad. But three days later, their sadness turned to happiness.

Jesus’ friends stayed together after He died. They were afraid that they were going to get in trouble for being friends with Jesus, so they sat in a room with the door locked. That's when something amazing happened!

Jesus came to them even though the door was locked. He said, "Peace be with you!" After that, Jesus showed his friends the scars in His hands. He also showed them the place where His side had been hurt from hanging on the cross. They knew that He was not dead any more. Jesus was alive!

Ten of Jesus' friends saw that Jesus was alive. But one of Jesus' friends, Thomas, was not there that night. So the other friends ran to Thomas and said, "We saw the Lord!"

But Thomas did not believe his friends. He said, "I will not believe it until I see the nail marks in His hands. And I will not believe until I put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into His side."

One week later, Jesus’ friends were together with Thomas again. They had locked the doors of the room, but Jesus came in anyway. He said, "Peace be with you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here (pointing to his side). Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Jesus knew that Thomas would not believe He was alive without seeing Him.

After seeing Jesus, Thomas said, "My Lord and my God!" He knew it was true–Jesus was not dead any more. He was alive! Then Jesus told Thomas, "You believe because you see Me. Those who believe without seeing Me will be truly happy."

Memory Verse: "Then Jesus told them, 'You believe because you see Me. Those who believe without seeing Me will be truly happy" (John 20:29).

Remember Rhyme

The best friends of Jesus

Sat together sad and scared

But when His friends looked up

They saw Jesus standing there.

To Thomas they ran and said,

"Jesus is alive!"

Thomas did not believe them

He had watched Jesus die.

But in the room with Thomas

Jesus came one day

These are the words

That Jesus had to say:

"Reach here with your finger,

Touch My side with your hand;

See the scars in Me.

Now do you understand?"

After he saw Jesus

And the holes in His side,

Thomas believed the truth

And here's how he replied:

"My Lord and my God!"

His friends told the truth:

Jesus came back to life,

And Thomas saw the proof.

Jesus said to Thomas,

"You believe because you see,

"Happy are those who believe

"Without seeing Me."

HOW TO BE GOD'S FRIEND