Death of Christ
The Mosaic Age Pt. 4

Lesson 10 covered briefly the life of Christ. This lesson will deal with His death and resurrection.

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 we learn what is the gospel of Christ. Paul tells the Corinthians that they are saved by the gospel. He says the gospel is how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, that he was buried and that the rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Since this is the gospel [gospel means good news] we must read and study about Christ’s death, burial and resurrection if we would be saved.

Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. Shortly after Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve went to the chief priests and Pharisees and agreed to deliver Jesus into their hands for thirty pieces of silver. Judas led the chief priests and Pharisees to Jesus and kissed Him. Jesus had told them that the one he kissed would be Jesus.

After Judas betrayed Jesus the officers took Him to the high priest. While He was there, Peter, one of His twelve apostles, denied even knowing Jesus. He said three times that he did not know who He was. Peter even cursed and told the people he did not know Jesus. He had told Peter earlier that he would do just this. Jesus had said “I tell thee, Peter, the cock [or rooster] shall not crow this day, before that thou [Peter] shall thrice [three times] deny that thou knowest me”. [Luke 22:34] When Peter denied the Lord the third time the rooster crowed. Peter remembered then what Jesus had said and he was very sad and sorry for what he had done. He went out and cried.

Jesus was treated cruelly when He was taken before the high priest. Some people spat on Him and others struck Him on the face.

After this He was taken to Pontius Pilate, the governor. Pilate questioned Jesus and then went out to the people and told them that he could find nothing wrong with Jesus. Pilate wanted to release Jesus but the people would not let him. They said, “if thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend.” [John 19:12]

After this the soldiers put a scarlet robe on Jesus. They platted a crown of thorns and put it on His head then put a reed in His hand. After this they bowed before Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on Jesus and hit Him with the reed. They were mocking the Son of God.

During this time Judas when he saw that Jesus was condemned, repented and brought the money he had gotten for betraying Jesus and threw it down in the temple. He told the chief priests and elders that he had betrayed Jesus and that Jesus was innocent. Afterwards Judas hanged himself.

After the soldiers mocked [make fun of] Jesus they led Him away to crucify Him. A man called Simon carried the cross for Jesus. A large number of people including women followed Him. Many of them were crying. The soldiers took Jesus’ clothing and gambled over it. They put a sign over His head on the cross “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS”. Two thieves hung on crosses, one on each side of Jesus.

While Jesus hung on that cross the people mocked Him. They shouted at Him and shook their heads and said awful things to the Son of God. They did not know that He was there for their sins as well as for the sins of all the people, even my sins and yours.

While on the cross one of the thieves asked Jesus to remember him when He came to His kingdom. Jesus said to the thief, “Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” [Luke 23:43]. For three hours [12 noon to 3 p.m.] while Jesus hung on the cross there was darkness over all the earth.

The Jews asked Pilate to break the legs of the three on the crosses to hasten their death because the bodies were not supposed to remain on the cross on the Sabbath. They broke the legs of the two thieves but when they came to Jesus, they found Him already dead and did not break His legs. However, a soldier came by and took his spear and thrust it into the side of Christ and blood and water came out. [John 19:34]

Joseph of Arimathea came to Pilate and asked for the body of Christ. He then with others, buried the Lord.

The people began to worry that His disciples would steal the body of Jesus. They remembered Jesus that He would rise again in three days. They asked Pilate to put guards on the cave where Jesus’ body lay. Pilate had the stone that was over the opening of the cave sealed and guards were placed there to make sure no one stole the body of Jesus.

As was prophesied long before, Jesus did arise from the dead. An angel came from heaven, rolled back the stone and sat upon it. This happened very early on a Sunday morning. Jesus seen of many people after He rose from the dead. [I Cor. 15:5-9].

This lesson was taken from Matthew chapters 26 through 28, Mark chapters 14 through 16, Luke chapters 22 through 24 and John chapters 18 through 20. To get even more details of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, death and resurrection read these scriptures along with this lesson.