Lesson 6 – The Passion of Christ

The Father, the perfect, righteous judge of the universe, gave His Son, Jesus, as the perfect, righteous sacrifice on the cross and punished Him for the sin of the whole world.

Opening

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

This lesson is about the events that happened after the religious leaders arrested and interrogated Jesus. This day is called "Good Friday".

How could a day when Jesus endured so much suffering be called good?

Watch the video “Good Friday (spoken word)".

How was the day Jesus died an unjust Friday? Jesus' trial before the high priest and the religious leaders was illegal according to their own laws. No trial was to be held at night or during feast time; it was night and Passover. The council ratified their vote in the morning. Two witnesses had to agree for a charge; they didn't. Jesus never sinned, but paid for our sin.

How was it a painful Friday? Jesus suffered greatly at the hands of the leaders and soldiers. He was beaten, whipped, mocked, and crucified.

How was it a bloody Friday? Jesus bled as He was beaten, whipped, stabbed, and crucified. He shed His blood as a sacrifice to pay for our sins.

How was it a dark Friday? It was dark for three hours (Matthew 27:45).

How was it a good Friday? Jesus died to set us free from sin, making this a very good Friday for us.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank You for sending Christ to be our sin-bearer and for revealing the mysteries of salvation to us. Amen.

God Speaks

Using the Student Page at the end of the lesson, read the directions, but for all of the scenes from the list.

Read Matthew 27:11-66, one scene at a time and choose one word that summarizes each scene. Write this one word on paper in a way that illustrates the account.

When finished, continue with the Debriefing on the Student Page.

The Romans permitted the Jews to try, convict, and punish criminals but not to execute them. So the religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate for Roman execution. Of what charges did the religious leaders accuse Jesus? Read Luke 23:2 (on the Student Page). They accused Jesus of treason against Rome: misleading the people, forbidding paying Caesar taxes, and saying He is a king.

Hoping to pass responsibility, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, ruler over Galilee. What did Herod do? He questioned Jesus, mocked Him, treated Him with contempt, gave Him splendid clothing, and sent Him back to Pilate.

The Roman governor set one prisoner free at Passover. To prevent an innocent death, Pilate offered to free Christ. Instead, the people chose Barabbas, a notorious murderer. Why do you think Pilate gave in to them? He feared a riot might explode during Passover week in a city filled with pilgrims from many nations. This would mar his reputation and career.

When Pilate washed his hands to show he was innocent of Jesus' death, the people said Christ's blood was on them and their children. What does this mean? Certain that Jesus deserved to die, they accepted blame for His death. In truth, all sinners are responsible for Christ's death because He died to pay for our sin. His blood cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

The Romans scourged every condemned man. Prisoners were stripped and tied to an upright post, and soldiers drove a leather whip with bone- and metal-studded straps into the person's back and legs. Many died. How else was Jesus abused and humiliated? Flogging decimated Jesus' back and legs. Soldiers mocked Him, making Christ stand naked, with only a soldier's cloak over His shoulders. They placed a crown of thorns on His head and gave Him a mock scepter. They bowed before Him, spit on Him, and beat His head. Earlier, Herod and his soldiers tormented Jesus similarly.

Jews began their day at 6:00 a.m., so Christ hung on the cross from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. As He died, Christ quoted Psalm 22:1, "My God My God, why have You forsaken Me?" As a Jewish man, Jesus prayed the Psalms His whole life. Some scholars suggest He was praying them silently on the cross to handle the mockery and pain and spoke this verse aloud. How was Jesus forsaken by God? Read Galatians 3:1 (on the Student Page). In this part of His humiliation, Jesus experienced being forsaken (abandoned, rejected) by God and separated from His presence suffering the indignity of hell in our place. He took the curse of our sin on Himself.

If Jesus continued silently praying Psalm 22, how would verse 24 (on the Student Page) answer His "why" question? God valued the suffering of the Afflicted One and did not hide from Him. God listened to His cry. God's Word offered comfort and strength to the Word who was with God and was God. The Greek word logos translates as "the Word" in John 1:1.

What does the split temple curtain signify? This curtain separated the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, where the high priest entered once a year to atone for the people's sins. As thick as a man's hand and elaborately embroidered, the curtain tore from top to bottom, showing that we no longer need a priest to mediate for our sin. With His death, Jesus became our only mediator. He atoned for our sins and opened the door for us to have a direct relationship with God. The action also showed God's judgment on the temple leaders who rejected God's Son.

How did the earth testify to the death of God's Son? A great earthquake occurred, strong enough to split stones and open tombs. Many saints came back to life and went into Jerusalem after Jesus' resurrection. Recognized as ones who had died, their resurrections showed God's power over death and foreshadowed the bodily resurrection of all the dead on the Last Day.

What did the religious leaders fear after Jesus died? They feared the disciples would steal Christ's body and claim He rose from the dead. Shockingly, even the enemies of Christ knew He said He would rise. It was no secret, but Jesus' disciples were too shocked, grieved, and fearful to remember and believe, much less plot a body theft. Note that Pilate told them to use their own temple guards.

 

We Live

Watch the video "Skit Guys - Good Friday".

Who crucified Jesus? Pilate, representing the Roman government, condemned Christ to death. Roman soldiers carried out His crucifixion. The Jewish religious leaders and people demanded His death. In truth, we're all responsible. We all crucified Jesus because He died to pay for our sins.

Why did Jesus have to die? Christ's blood pays for sins and guilt. Hebrews 9:22 says, "Under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."

Why was Christ's work acceptable when our death doesn't save us? Sin causes our deaths (Romans 6:23). Christ lived a sinless life, making His death the perfect sacrifice. His holiness is transferred to us (1 Peter 2:22-24). Christ saved us through His once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12-14).

The explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed in Luther's Small Catechism says, "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him". When does faith begin for Christians? Luther's explanation goes on to say, "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith."

We receive the benefits of Christ's work as the Holy Spirit works through Baptism, Holy Communion, and God's Word. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ, our Savior (Ephesians 2:4-10).

How does God continue to confront us with our sins? God works in many ways: through His Word, our own conscience, and the people God places in our lives, such as parents, siblings, authority figures, and friends.

How does God continue to offer us forgiveness? God forgives us in His own body and blood and through the words of Absolution.

Looking back at Jesus' crucifixion, we see more clearly why He died, and we see the victory of His resurrection. We can be certain of our salvation because of Christ's sacrifice (1 John 5:13).

 Closing

Read Psalm 22 as a closing prayer.