April 5th - Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion

Lesson

Matt 26:47-28:66, Mark 14:43-15:47, Luke 22:47-23:56 and John 18-19:42

Although the disciples didn’t know it, Jesus had spent the last time with them at the Last Supper and in the Garden of Gethsemane.   They were convinced that nothing would separate them from Jesus.  But just a very short time later, they all deserted Jesus when he was arrested and taken away.

Jesus was taken before the high priest, the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law.  They were looking for evidence to use against him to have him put to death.  Some stood up and lied but Jesus refused to answer them.  When he was asked if he was the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus said “I am”.  Based on this, they all agreed he should die and took him to Pilate, as they did not have the authority to have someone put to death.  Pilate questioned Jesus but could find no reason why he should have to die.  In the meantime, the chief priests stirred up the crowd so when Pilate asked what should happen to Jesus, they all shouted, “crucify him”.  Pilate, seeing he could not win this battle, agreed to the crucifixion.  Jesus was beaten, spat upon, mocked (made fun of), had a crown of thorns put on his head.  He was forced to carry the crossbar through the streets and nailed to the cross to die.   Hung between two criminals, Jesus said “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

At about midday, darkness came over the whole land, for the sun had stopped shining.  At 3 o’clock the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom, the earth shook, rocks split and the tombs broke open and many holy people who had died were raised to life. Jesus called out “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  He breathed his last.  The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”

Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body.  Then he and Nicodemus took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in spices and linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock.  When the chief priests heard this, they went to Pilate and requested guards for the tomb as they claimed that the disciples would steal the body and then claim Jesus had risen from death.  Pilate agreed to this and had a seal put on the stone.  Now the disciples and followers of Jesus being bound by the laws of the Sabbath, went home to wait, not knowing what to do.

Remember that this was planned from the beginning, Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen. This was the only way that we could come before God and to receive the Holy Spirit.

Make Easter Story Cookies or Easter Tomb biscuits, see instructions and notes.

Memory Verse

MV #10

EXPLORERS & ADVENTURERS

God so loved the world that he gave his only son, Jesus.  John 3:16 NKJ

INVESTIGATORS

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 NKJ

Activity

EASTER STORY COOKIE

READY IN: 25hrs

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup whole pecans

  • 3 egg whites

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vinegar

  • 1/8 teaspoon salt (small pinch)

easter story cookies.jpg

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 150˚C

  • Place pecans in a zip lock bag, close the bag, and let the children beat the bag with a wooden spoon to break the pecans into small pieces

  • Explain to the children that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat him

  • Let the children smell the vinegar

  • Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl

  • Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink

  • Add egg whites to the vinegar

  • Eggs represent life

  • Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life

  • Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hands

  • Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl

  • Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our sin

  • So far the ingredients aren’t very appetising

  • Add 1 cup sugar

  • Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us

  • He wants us to know and belong to him

  • Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until the stiff peaks form

  • Explain that the colour white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sin have been cleansed by Jesus

  • Fold in broken nuts

  • Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper

  • Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid

  • Put the cookie sheet in the oven and turn OFF

  • Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door

  • Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed

  • Go to bed

  • Explain to the children that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight

  • Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed

  • On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie

  • Notice the cracked surface and take a bite

  • The cookies are HOLLOW!

  • On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty

  • He has risen!

 

EMPTY TOMB BISCUITS

INGREDIENTS:

  • Plain biscuit dough or sweet short pastry

  • Marshmallows (medium sized)

  • Melted Butter

  • Cinnamon and Sugar mix

DIRECTIONS:

  • Make a circle of dough.

  • Roll the marshmallow in the butter and cinnamon sugar and place it in the centre of the dough. 

  • Enclose the marshmallow completely making sure there are no holes or gaps.

  • Place on baking paper lined tray.

  • Bake at 180˚C for 15-20 minutes

AprilACA Child & Youth