Lesson 7. The Cross, the Death, and the Resurrection of Jesus

• Religious education
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

Koning van de Joden

The Cross, the Death, and the Resurrection of Jesus

The cross, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus are central to the Christian faith. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world to save humanity from sin and eternal separation from God. His suffering and death on the cross are seen as the ultimate sacrifice, taking upon Himself the punishment for human sin. Three days after His death, Jesus rose from the grave, conquering death and bringing hope of eternal life to all who believe in Him. These events are commemorated during Good Friday (the crucifixion) and Easter (the resurrection).

Learning Objectives

• You can identify who helped carry the cross.
• You can explain the circumstances of Jesus’ death.
• You can describe what was written above the cross and why it mattered.
• You can outline the roles of the priests and soldiers in the story.
• You can recount who arrived first at the empty tomb and who they encountered.

The soldiers took Jesus with them. They put a red robe on Him and placed a crown of thorns on His head.

2

Then Jesus had to carry His own heavy wooden cross to the place where He would be crucified. On the way, He fell because He was so exhausted.

4

 A man, Simon of Cyrene, was forced by the soldiers to carry the cross for Jesus.

5

They pretended He was a king, but they mocked Him and struck Him.

3

Then they hung Him on the cross. On both sides of Jesus, two criminals were crucified. Jesus hung between them.

6

When Jesus was hanging on the cross, the soldiers gave Him vinegar mixed with gall or a mixture of wine and myrrh.

7

While Jesus was hanging on the cross, the soldiers offered Him vinegar mixed with gall, or a mixture of wine and myrrh.

8

Golgotha was the place outside the city of Jerusalem where they took Jesus to crucify Him. The name "Golgotha" means "place of the skull."

1

Pilate had a sign made to place on the cross. It read: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."

9

The Jewish leaders asked Pilate, "You should not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am the King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

10

The crucifixion

According to the biblical accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, the Roman soldiers carried out several actions:

Crucifixion: They nailed Jesus to the cross, a common form of execution at the time for criminals and rebels.

Division of Clothing: They divided Jesus' clothes among themselves by casting lots, as prophesied in the Psalms (Psalm 22:19; John 19:23-24).

Mocking: They mocked Jesus by placing a crown of thorns on His head and mocking Him as "King of the Jews," while they struck Him and worsened His suffering.

Offering Vinegar to Drink: When Jesus suffered thirst on the cross, they offered Him a sponge soaked in sour wine (vinegar) to relieve His thirst, as mentioned in Matthew 27:48 and John 19:29.

Confirming the Death: To ensure that Jesus was dead, the soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals crucified alongside Him. When they came to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead, so they pierced His side with a spear to confirm He was truly dead (John 19:31-37).

Name 5 things they did to Jesus.

According to the biblical accounts of Jesus' suffering and crucifixion, various forms of torture and mistreatment were inflicted by the Roman soldiers.

Flagellation: Before Jesus was nailed to the cross, He was flogged with a whip, also called a scourge. This whip had multiple leather straps with metal or bone pieces at the ends, which could severely wound the skin.

Mocking: After Jesus was flogged, the soldiers mocked Him by placing a crown of thorns on His head and giving Him a staff as a scepter, while laughing at Him and mocking Him as "King of the Jews."

Beating and Spitting: The soldiers repeatedly struck Jesus in the face and spat on Him as a sign of contempt and humiliation.

Offering Drink: Before He was nailed to the cross, the soldiers offered Jesus a sponge soaked in sour wine (vinegar) to quench His thirst, but Jesus refused to drink.

The Crucifixion Itself: Ultimately, Jesus was nailed to the cross, a form of execution that was inherently excruciatingly painful and humiliating.

When Jesus was hanging on the cross, the sky suddenly began to change. From the sixth hour (12 p.m.) to the ninth hour (3 p.m.), darkness covered the entire land.

1

This lasted for three hours. It was a strange occurrence, and people were afraid of it.

2

This darkness is often seen as a sign of God's sorrow and the seriousness of what was happening at that moment.

3

Jesus, who is the Son of God, bore the sins of the world. The darkness is a symbol of the moment when Jesus took the sins of the world upon Himself.

4

When it was completely dark, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?"

5

This was the moment when Jesus experienced the pain and sorrow of the sins of the world, and He felt completely abandoned, even by His Father.

6

After these words, Jesus said, "It is finished!" With these words, He meant that He had completed His mission on earth: to save humanity.

7

Shortly after, Jesus died. At that moment, an earthquake occurred, and the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom.

8

This showed that through Jesus' death, the separation between God and humanity was removed.

9

When the centurion (a Roman soldier responsible for carrying out the crucifixion) saw all that had happened, he said, "Truly, this man was the Son of God."

10

The crucifixion

The crucifixion of Jesus holds immense theological significance in Christian doctrine. It is believed to be the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity. According to Christian belief, Jesus, the Son of God, bore the weight of the world's sins on the cross. This act of self-sacrifice was necessary to reconcile sinful humans with a holy God, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament and providing the means for salvation through faith in Him.

The Darkness

The period of darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour (from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.) that covered the land during Jesus' crucifixion is seen as a profound symbol. Theologically, this darkness represents God’s sorrow over the sin and separation that Jesus was experiencing on behalf of the world. It underscores the weight of the moment when Jesus, who had always been in communion with God the Father, felt forsaken—taking on the sins of humanity. This moment of abandonment is captured in Jesus’ cry, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46), reflecting the depth of His suffering and the cosmic significance of His death.

The Tearing of the Temple Curtain

The tearing of the temple curtain from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus' death (Matthew 27:51) holds rich theological meaning. In the Old Testament, the curtain in the Temple separated the Holy of Holies—the most sacred space where God's presence dwelled—from the rest of the temple and the people. Only the high priest could enter this space, and only once a year, to offer sacrifices for the atonement of sins.

The tearing of the curtain signifies the removal of the barrier between God and humanity that had existed due to sin. Jesus' sacrificial death is seen as the act that opens direct access to God for all people. It symbolizes the new covenant through Christ, where believers no longer need a priest to mediate between them and God. Jesus, as the perfect High Priest and the ultimate sacrifice, has made a way for humanity to be reconciled with God.

In conclusion, these events—the darkness, the tearing of the temple curtain, and the crucifixion—all point to the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and the theological understanding that through His death, the separation between God and humanity was overcome. The darkness represents the gravity of sin and its consequences, while the torn curtain marks the end of the Old Covenant and the opening of a new path to salvation through Christ.

What do we call the day when Jesus died on the cross?

1. Black Friday
2. Easter Sunday
3. Ascension Day
4. Good Friday

Jesus died on Good Friday. But why do we call it Good Friday?

1. Because Jesus rose from the dead
2. Because it marks the day of Jesus' death, which brought salvation
3. Because it was the start of His ministry
4. Because the day symbolizes the end of Jesus' teachings

De dag waarop Jezus werd gekruisigd en stierf, staat bekend als Goede Vrijdag. De term "goed" in Goede Vrijdag is afkomstig van de oude Engelse uitdrukking "goede" wat in deze context "heilig" of "eerbiedwaardig" betekent. Het is dus niet zo dat de dag als 'goed' wordt beschouwd vanwege de gebeurtenissen die plaatsvonden, maar eerder vanwege de diepere betekenis en het belang ervan voor het christelijk geloof.

Voor christenen vertegenwoordigt Goede Vrijdag de dag waarop Jezus Christus zijn leven gaf voor de verlossing van de mensheid. Het is een herinnering aan Jezus' offer voor de zonden van de wereld, waardoor gelovigen vergeving en verlossing kunnen ontvangen. Ondanks de tragische gebeurtenissen van die dag, wordt het als "goed" beschouwd vanwege de hoop en het heil die voortvloeien uit Jezus' offer. Het is de dag waarop het fundament werd gelegd voor het christelijke geloof in de opstanding en de overwinning over de dood.

Search for: What was written on the sign above the cross?

According to the biblical accounts of the crucifixion story, the sign above Jesus' cross had the following inscription:

In Latin: "INRI" or "Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum"

In English: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

This sign with the inscription was a common practice in Roman crucifixions to indicate the crime for which the condemned person was being executed. In the case of Jesus, the title "King of the Jews" was used as the crime for which He was crucified, as presented to Pontius Pilate by the Jewish religious leaders.

What were the last words of Jesus?

Why would He have said that?

According to the biblical accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, the last words He spoke before He died are known as "the seven last words." These words are recorded in various Gospels and are often cited during Good Friday services.

Here are the seven last words of Jesus on the cross, as reported in the Gospels:

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) – In this, Jesus prayed to God for forgiveness for those who crucified Him, showing grace and compassion.

"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) – These words were spoken by Jesus to the criminal hanging beside Him, who had asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom.

"Woman, behold your son!" and "Behold your mother!" (John 19:26-27) – Here, Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, to the apostle John, symbolizing spiritual care for all believers.

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34) – These words, which are the opening line of Psalm 22, are often seen as Jesus' cry of human despair and suffering, expressing the depth of His experience of loneliness and abandonment.

"I thirst." (John 19:28) – With this, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament and showed His humanity by experiencing physical suffering.

"It is finished." (John 19:30) – With these words, Jesus completed His earthly mission of redemption and the fulfillment of Scripture, indicating that His work on earth was finished.

"Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." (Luke 23:46) – With this final statement, Jesus entrusted His spirit to God the Father, expressing surrender and trust in God's plan.

Each of these last words holds deep theological significance and reflects different aspects of Jesus' humanity and divinity, His relationship with God, and His mission of redemption for humanity.

The phrase "It is finished" (John 19:30) holds profound theological significance in Christianity. These were among the final words Jesus spoke before He died, and they mark the completion of His earthly mission.

Meaning of "It Is Finished"

When Jesus declared, "It is finished," He was not expressing defeat or resignation; rather, He was proclaiming the completion of His redemptive work. The word used in the original Greek is "tetelestai," which means "it is accomplished," "it is fulfilled," or "it is completed." It was a term commonly used in the ancient world, particularly in the context of paying debts, meaning that the debt had been fully paid or a task had been successfully completed.

Theological Significance

In the context of Jesus' crucifixion, His statement "It is finished" means:

The completion of His mission of redemption: Jesus came to earth to fulfill God's plan of salvation for humanity, which required His perfect life, His sacrificial death, and the forgiveness of sins. By saying "It is finished," He was declaring that His work to reconcile humanity to God through His death was completed.

Fulfillment of prophecy and Scripture: Throughout His life, Jesus fulfilled many prophecies and promises made in the Old Testament. "It is finished" indicates that every aspect of God's plan for redemption, as foretold by the prophets, had now been accomplished.

The atonement for sin is complete: Jesus' death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. In the Old Testament, animals were sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins, but these sacrifices were temporary. Jesus' death was the final and perfect sacrifice, covering the sins of all people once and for all. By saying "It is finished," He was declaring that no further sacrifice was needed, as His death was sufficient to atone for sin.

The end of the Old Covenant and the beginning of the New Covenant: The Old Covenant, based on the law and sacrifices, was fulfilled and completed in Jesus. With His death, He established a New Covenant, based on grace and faith, through which people can have a direct relationship with God.

Emotional and Spiritual Impact

For Christians, these words of Jesus symbolize victory over sin and death. Rather than being a statement of defeat, "It is finished" signals triumph. It reflects Jesus' obedience to God the Father, His willingness to endure the pain and suffering of the cross, and the certainty that through His death, humanity could be reconciled with God. It assures believers that salvation is now fully available, not through their works or effort, but through Jesus' completed work on the cross.

Thus, the finality of the phrase underscores the completion of Jesus’ redemptive purpose. There is nothing more needed to be done to secure salvation, as it was fully accomplished by Jesus Himself.

After the death of Jesus, it was already late in the afternoon, and the Jews did not want the bodies of the crucified men to remain on the cross during the Sabbath (the day of rest), because the Sabbath began at sunset.

1

So they asked the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, if the legs of the crucified men could be broken, so that they would die more quickly and be taken down from the crosses.

2

When the soldiers came to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead. They did not break His legs, but one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear.

3

Then Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man who was also a secret follower of Jesus, asked Pilate if he could take the body of Jesus to bury it.

4

Pilate agreed. Joseph took the body of Jesus down from the cross and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.

5

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were witnesses to this moment, and they saw where the body of Jesus was laid.

6

Joseph placed the body in a new tomb that had been cut out of rock. A large stone was rolled in front of the entrance of the tomb.

7

The disciples were nowhere to be found. They had hidden themselves out of fear.

8

The burial

After Jesus' crucifixion, the scene was filled with grief and confusion. His body was taken down from the cross and placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the Jewish council who had secretly followed Jesus. The tomb, carved into a rock, was sealed with a large stone at its entrance, and the women who had followed Jesus, including Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, witnessed where the body was laid.

The disciples, who had followed Jesus throughout His ministry, were overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. The death of their leader and the chaos surrounding the events made them terrified for their own lives. As a result, they scattered and hid in fear, unwilling to be seen or associated with the crucified Jesus. They were nowhere to be found during this time of crisis, and their absence marks a moment of confusion and despair. The Jewish authorities, too, were concerned about Jesus' prediction of rising from the dead, so they posted guards at the tomb to prevent His disciples from stealing the body and claiming His resurrection.

During this period, the disciples were isolated, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the events and the fate of their Master. They would not fully understand or embrace the resurrection until it happened and they were able to encounter the risen Jesus.

To whom did Pilate give the body of Jesus?

Why do you think this person would want to bury Jesus?

Pilate gave the body of Jesus to Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man and secret follower of Jesus. He likely wanted to bury Jesus because he respected Jesus and believed in His message. As a follower, he may have felt a deep sense of reverence and compassion, wanting to ensure that Jesus was buried with dignity despite the circumstances of His death. Additionally, as a member of the Jewish council, Joseph may have seen this as an important act to honor Jesus after His wrongful crucifixion.

When Jesus was in the tomb, the Jewish leaders went to Pilate.

1

They were afraid that Jesus' followers would try to steal His body and claim that He had risen from the dead.

2

Therefore, they asked Pilate to place a guard at the tomb so that no one could steal the body.

3

Pilate agreed, and a large stone was rolled in front of the entrance to the tomb, with soldiers placed to guard it.

4

They wanted to make sure that no one would spread the message of Jesus' resurrection.

5

The resurrection

According to the biblical account (Matthew 27:62-66), soldiers were placed at Jesus' tomb by order of the Jewish religious leaders, with the permission of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. The religious leaders were afraid that Jesus' disciples would steal His body and then claim that He had risen from the dead, as Jesus had predicted.

By placing soldiers at the tomb, they wanted to ensure that the tomb was securely guarded and that no one could access the body of Jesus. This measure was intended to prevent possible unrest among the people and to maintain the authority of the religious leaders.

The soldiers remained at the tomb until the third day after the crucifixion, when Jesus, according to Christian belief, rose from the dead. This event is celebrated as the resurrection of Jesus and forms the heart of the Christian faith.

Why did the priests want soldiers at the tomb?

1. To ensure that the body of Jesus was properly preserved
2. To prevent Jesus' disciples from stealing His body and claiming He had risen
3. To guard the tomb from robbers
4. To make sure no one would disturb the tomb out of respect for Jesus

How many days did the priests want soldiers at the tomb?

1. One day
2. Three days
3. Two days
4. Until Jesus was resurrected

Early in the morning, very early on the day after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women went to Jesus' tomb.

1

They had brought fragrant oils to anoint Jesus' dead body.

2

They were sad because Jesus had died on the cross and was buried in a tomb that was sealed with a large stone.

3

When the women arrived at the tomb, they saw something strange: the large stone had been rolled away!

4

 In amazement, they went inside and discovered that the tomb was empty. Jesus' body was not there.

5

Suddenly, two men in shining clothes stood beside them. The women were greatly frightened.

6

But the men said, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!"

7

The women were both amazed and filled with joy.

8

They remembered what Jesus had said: that He would rise after three days.

9

They hurried back to the city to tell the good news to the other disciples: Jesus is alive!

10

The empty tomb

The resurrection of Jesus and the role of the women in it are important aspects of the Christian faith and are described in the Gospels of the New Testament.

According to the biblical accounts, several women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, went to Jesus' tomb on the third day after the crucifixion to anoint His body. Upon arriving at the tomb, they discovered that the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty. They were then greeted by an angel who told them that Jesus had risen from the dead, as He had predicted.

The women then quickly returned to the disciples to share the news of the resurrection. Mary Magdalene even went back to the tomb alone and met Jesus, who instructed her to tell His disciples that He had risen.

The role of the women in discovering and sharing the news of the resurrection highlights their faith and devotion to Jesus, as well as the equality of men and women in the eyes of God. Their testimony of the resurrection played a crucial role in spreading the Christian faith and confirming the central doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus.

Source: Jesus.net/ Sandy Tales. 

What happended on Easter Morning. 

(YouTube)

02:09

Write briefly what the angel said to the women.

According to the Biblical accounts, the angel spoke to the women at Jesus' tomb with the following words:

"He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28:6)

The angel proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus to the women and invited them to see that the tomb was empty. This message was a fulfillment of the predictions Jesus had made during his ministry, in which he had said that after three days he would rise from the dead.

By saying "He is not here," the angel confirmed that Jesus was no longer in the tomb, but that he had risen as he had promised. This message of the angel was a source of joy and hope for the women and is the central point of the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus.

00:47

On which day did the women go to the tomb?

The women went to the tomb on the first day of the week, which corresponds to Sunday. This was the day after the Sabbath, which was observed on Saturday. The Bible specifically mentions that it was very early in the morning, before sunrise.

Bible references:

Matthew 28:1: "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week..."

Mark 16:2: "Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise..."

Luke 24:1: "Very early on the first day of the week..."

John 20:1: "On the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was still dark..."

So, the women went to the tomb on Sunday morning, the day now known as Easter Sunday.

Do you think the women understood what Jesus had said about His death and resurrection before He died? Why or why not?

They went to the tomb to anoint his body, which suggests that they were more concerned with his death than with his resurrection. However, it seems that the resurrection of Jesus was a surprise to them. When they arrived at the tomb and found it empty, they were initially surprised and bewildered. Only when they met the angel and heard the message of the resurrection did they begin to understand and believe.

It is important to note that even the disciples, who had been with Jesus regularly and had heard his teachings, struggled to understand or accept his predictions about his resurrection before it actually happened. Their disbelief and astonishment after the resurrection reflect the depth of the miraculous event and the difficulty of fully comprehending it.

The Roman soldiers guarding Jesus' tomb were witnesses to the resurrection.

1

There was an earthquake and an angel rolled away the stone.

2

The soldiers were terrified and trembled with fear.

3

They became so frightened that they were "as good as dead," meaning they likely became stiff or unconscious.

4

Some of the soldiers went to the leaders of the Jewish priestly council and told them what had happened.

5

De leiders waren bang voor de gevolgen van dit nieuws en gaven de soldaten geld.

6

They instructed them to say:

"His disciples came at night and stole his body while we were sleeping."

7

The soldiers took the money and spread this fabricated story.

8

This is what's being said about the empty tomb among the Jews.

9

The Resurrection as the Core of Christianity: The resurrection of Jesus is the central tenet of the Christian faith. It signifies Jesus' victory over sin and death, and it's the foundation of hope for believers that they too will experience resurrection and eternal life.

The Empty Tomb as Evidence: The empty tomb is a crucial piece of evidence supporting the resurrection. It signifies that Jesus' body was not simply moved or stolen, but that He had truly risen from the dead.

The Soldiers' Testimony: The presence of Roman soldiers guarding the tomb adds historical weight to the narrative. Roman soldiers were known for their discipline and reliability. Their testimony, even though later manipulated, highlights the extraordinary nature of the events.

The Soldiers' Account

Fear and Awe: The soldiers were terrified by the earthquake, the angel's appearance, and the empty tomb. This fear underscores the supernatural nature of the event and the soldiers' inability to provide a natural explanation.

The Lie: The Jewish leaders instructed the soldiers to say that Jesus' disciples had stolen the body while they slept. This was a fabricated story intended to discredit the resurrection. It reveals the opposition and disbelief that the early Christian movement faced.

The Implausibility of the Lie: The lie itself is weak. Roman soldiers were highly trained and would have faced severe punishment for falling asleep on duty, especially when guarding such an important tomb. It's unlikely they would have all fallen asleep simultaneously.

Theological Significance

The Conflict Between Belief and Unbelief: The story highlights the tension between those who believed in Jesus' resurrection and those who sought to deny it. This conflict continues throughout history and is a reminder that faith often requires overcoming doubt and opposition.

The Importance of Eyewitnesses: Despite the attempt to discredit the resurrection, the fact remains that there were eyewitnesses to the empty tomb and the events surrounding it. Their testimony, along with the transformed lives of the disciples, provides a powerful case for the resurrection.

The Triumph of Truth: Ultimately, the truth of the resurrection prevailed over the lies and attempts to suppress it. This story is a testament to the power of truth and the enduring nature of the Christian faith.

Give the following statements and indicate whether they are correct or incorrect.

They gave Jesus water to drink.

Jesus was crowned with a crown of roses on His head.

This was the end of Jesus.

Simon also carried the cross for a while.

The soldiers who were guarding the tomb had fallen asleep.

Peter and John were the first at the tomb.

The last words of Jesus were: "It is finished."

The Entry into Jerusalem

The Last Supper

The crucifixion

Jesus is lying in the tomb

Jesus rises from the dead

Easter Sunday

Good Friday

Maundy Thursday

Holy Saturday

Palm Sunday

Learning Objectives

• I can identify who helped carry the cross.
• I can explain the circumstances of Jesus’ death.
• I can describe what was written above the cross and why it mattered.
• I can outline the roles of the priests and soldiers in the story.
• I can recount who arrived first at the empty tomb and who they encountered.