WEEK: 8 THE DEATH AND BURIAL

OBJECTIVES
1. Write about the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
2. State the words of Jesus on the cross.
3. Explain the significance of the death of Jesus

THE Crucifixion (MATTHEW 27:32-44)

After Pilate gave up Jesus to be crucified, the soldiers led him away. On the way,
they met Simon of Cyrene, and they forced him to help Jesus carry the heavy
cross. The two men took it in turns to carry the cross till they came to Golgotha,
(which means the place of a skull, they offered him a wine to drink mingled with
gall; but when he tested it, he could not drink it. And when they crucified him,
they divided his garments among them by casting lots; then they sat down and
kept watch over him there. Over his head, they put the charge against him, which
read, “Jesus the king of the Jews”. Then two robbers were crucified with him. And
people made jest of him, asking him to safe himself if he was really the son of
God.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour,
and Jesus cried with a loud voice:

“Eloi Eloi , lama sabac thani”

Which means “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Some of the people thought he was calling Elijah to come and save him. And Jesus
cried again with a loud voice, it is finished and died on the cross. Behold the
curtain of the temple was torn in two and the earth shook and the rocks were
split; the tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen
asleep were raised and coming out of the tombs.

When the soldiers saw this, they confessed that Jesus was indeed the son of God.
The women disciples of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and
John, the sons of Zebedee were all at the place of crucifixion. In the evening
Joseph of Arimathea asked for the body of Jesus and it was given to him. He took
the body and buried him in his own new tomb and departed.

Significance of the Jesus’ death

The death of Jesus on the cross is important for our salvation. By his death, Jesus
paid for our sins since God used his blood to wash away our sins and save us from
the terrible consequences of sin. Secondly, God used the blood of Jesus to
establish the new covenant so that after the forgiveness of sins, we might have
spiritual will to overcome temptations, and also what we cannot do by our will
power.