Back to: CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES JSS2
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In today’s Christian Religious Studies class, We will be discussing The Death of Jesus. We hope you enjoy the class!
The Death of Jesus (Matthew 27: 45-56)
Shortly after Jesus was crucified darkness covered the whole land of Jerusalem for three hours, the sixth hour (12 noon) to the ninth hour (three o’clock in the afternoon). At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out loud saying “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? Meaning “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me”. Some of the people standing-by thought that He was calling to Elijah to come and save Him.
One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a stick so he could drink. But the rest said, “Leave him alone. Let’s see whether Elijah will come and save him.” Then Jesus shouted out again, and he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead after Jesus’ resurrection. They left the cemetery, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and others who stood-by saw what happened they testified that Jesus is truly the son of God. There were some women who witnessed His death. These included Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses and the mother of Zebedee’s children. All these stood afar beholding with a sorrowful look all the suffering Christ went through.
Words of Jesus on the Cross:
Before Jesus died, He made seven statements on the cross. These statements are as follows:
- “Eli, Eli, la’ma Sabachthani?” meaning “My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me”? (Matt 27:46).
- “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).
- “Truly I say to you, today, you will be with me in paradise (Lk 23:43).
- “Father unto thy hands I commit my spirit (LK23:43).
- “Women, behold your son!” “Son, behold your mother!” (John 19:27).
- “I thirst” (John 19:28).
- “It is finished” (John 19:30).
The Burial of Jesus (Matt 27:57-66)
In the evening, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the council and also a secret disciple of Jesus went to Pilate and asked for permission to take the body of Jesus for burial. Joseph took the body, dressed and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb (which he had bought for himself) which had been hewn out of a rock.
After burying Jesus, he covered the entrance of the tomb with a great stone, and both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting nearby watching.
Significance of Jesus’ Death
- Jesus died to save us from our sins. He used His bloodshed on the cross to wash away our sins.
- God used the blood of Jesus to establish a new covenant with us so that after the forgiveness of our sins, we might have the spiritual power to be able to overcome the temptation to sin.
Moral Lesson
- Jesus Christ accepted the suffering and death to fulfil the scripture therefore as Christians we must remain faithful to God instead of backsliding or denying God in time of suffering.
- Some women witnessed the death of Jesus, they were His friends and they stayed with Him through the period of His death, so we must learn how to stand by our friends and neighbours in times of difficulty.
- Jesus died in order to save us from our sins. So we should accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal saviour.
- Joseph of Arimathea spent his time and money on a linen cloth and gave his own tomb for the burial of Jesus as a mark of his love and respect for Him. We too must spend our time and resources for the things of God and humanity.
The Resurrection (Mathew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12)
Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.
The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they became as dead men. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen.
Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been raised from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember, I have told you.”
The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them. “Greetings!” he said. And they ran to him, held his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
The Significance of the Resurrection
- It is the basis of the Christian faith.
- Jesus conquered death by His resurrection.
- Christians have the hopes of eternal life because of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Role of Women in the Resurrection of Jesus
These women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome were the first to get to the tomb, to embalm the body of Jesus; they were the first to know of the empty tomb.
It was from the women disciples that Peter and the rest of the disciples got to know about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
The message to the apostles to meet Jesus in Galilee was given to the women disciples.
THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST
The Great Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20, Mark 16:15-18)
The eleven disciples went to Galilee as they were directed by Jesus and they gathered on the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him they worshipped Him and Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you and I am with you always, to the close of the age. Thus Jesus commissioned them to preach, baptize and teach people His word.
Mark’s gospel also mentions some signs that would follow those that believe in Jesus as they do the work of the mission. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover”.
Ascension of Jesus Christ (Mark 16: 19-20, Luke 24: 50-53)
Mark recorded that Jesus Christ was taken to heaven soon after He had finished addressing His disciples. The disciples then went about preaching the gospel with signs following them.
Luke stated that Jesus led His disciples out as far as Bethany after addressing them in the house. Also, He lifted His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He was taken up to heaven, and the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy and stay in the temple, blessing God.
Moral Lessons
- As Christians, we must conduct ourselves while still living on earth as people whose homes are in heaven. We can do this by living a God-fearing life and not putting our trust and hope in material things.
- We must respond to the call of God and be found doing the work of the master while He is away.
- Jesus promised to be with His disciples at all times. As Christians, we should not fear while carrying out the great commission but should be assured that God’s presence is with us always.
We have come to the end of this class. We do hope you enjoyed the class?
Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to respond as soon as possible.
We have come to the end of this term and hence JSS2. It’s been a remarkable journey and we are glad that you have made it this far. The Journey still continues though, we are moving on to JSS3 and we hope to see there.
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