The Crucifixion Of Jesus Christ JSS2 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

 THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Describe the historical events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion as recorded in the Gospels
2. Explain the practice of Roman crucifixion and its significance in Jesus’ time
3. Identify the theological meaning of the cross in Christian faith
4. Analyze the seven last sayings of Jesus and their significance
5. Apply the message of the crucifixion to their personal faith and daily lives

INTRODUCTION

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ stands at the center of Christian faith as the supreme demonstration of God’s love and the means of humanity’s redemption. All four Gospels devote significant attention to this event, underscoring its paramount importance in the story of salvation. Beyond being merely a historical occurrence, the crucifixion embodies profound theological truths about sin, sacrifice, love, and redemption that continue to shape the faith and practice of believers worldwide.

1. HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE CRUCIFIXION

A. The Road to Golgotha

• After being sentenced by Pilate, Jesus was led away to be crucified (Matthew 27:31)
• Initially carrying His own cross (John 19:17)
• Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross when Jesus could no longer bear it (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26)
• A large crowd followed, including women who mourned for Him (Luke 23:27-31)
• Jesus told the women of Jerusalem not to weep for Him but for themselves and their children
• Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh (a mild analgesic), but refused it (Matthew 27:34, Mark 15:23)

B. The Crucifixion Site

• Called Golgotha in Aramaic, meaning “place of the skull” (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, John 19:17)
• Translated as Calvary in Latin
• Located outside the city walls of Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:12)
• Likely near a main road for maximum public exposure (typical Roman practice)

D. The Crucifixion Process

• Jesus was crucified at “the third hour” or about 9:00 AM (Mark 15:25)
• Jesus was crucified between two criminals (Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:33)
• The charge against Him was posted on the cross: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek (John 19:19-22)
• The Jewish leaders objected to the wording, but Pilate refused to change it
• Roman soldiers divided His garments and cast lots for His seamless robe (John 19:23-24)
  • This fulfilled the prophecy from Psalm 22:18
• Jesus refused the sour wine/vinegar offered initially (Matthew 27:34)
• Later, Jesus received sour wine from a sponge when He said “I thirst” (John 19:28-29)

E. Witnesses at the Cross

• A group of women watched from a distance, including:
  1. Mary Magdalene
  2. Mary the mother of James and Joseph
  3. The mother of Zebedee’s sons
  4. Salome
  5. (Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41)
• Jesus’ mother Mary and the disciple John stood near the cross (John 19:25-27)
• Crowds gathered to witness the spectacle (Luke 23:48)
• Roman soldiers and a centurion (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47)
• Jewish religious leaders mocked Jesus (Matthew 27:41-43

F. Seven Last Sayings of Jesus on the Cross

1. Word of Forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34)
2. Word of Salvation: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (to the repentant criminal, Luke 23:43)
3. Word of Relationship: “Woman, here is your son… Here is your mother” (entrusting Mary to John, John 19:26-27)
4. Word of Abandonment: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)
5. Word of Distress: “I am thirsty” (John 19:28)
6. Word of Triumph: “It is finished” (John 19:30)
7. Word of Reunion: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46)

G. Supernatural Events

• Darkness covered the land from noon until 3 PM (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44-45)
• The temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45)
• Earthquake and rocks splitting (Matthew 27:51)
• Tombs broke open and dead saints were raised and appeared to many after Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 27:52-53)

H. Jesus’ Death

• After approximately six hours on the cross, Jesus cried out with a loud voice and gave up His spirit (Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46, John 19:30)
• The manner of His death impressed the centurion, who declared, “Surely this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39)
• The soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out (John 19:34)
• His legs were not broken, unlike those of the two criminals (John 19:32-33)
  1. This fulfilled the prophecy that none of His bones would be broken (Psalm 34:20)

II. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT

A. Roman Crucifixion Practice

• Developed by the Persians and perfected by the Romans as a method of execution
• Reserved primarily for slaves, pirates, and enemies of the state
• Described by Cicero as “the most cruel and disgusting penalty”
• Designed for maximum pain, humiliation, and public spectacle
• Victims typically died from asphyxiation, exhaustion, or heart failure
• Death could take several days, though Jesus died relatively quickly (six hours)
• Bodies usually left on crosses as warnings, making proper burial unusual
• The practice was so horrible that Roman citizens were exempt from crucifixion
• The word “excruciating” literally means “out of the cross”

 B. Jewish Context

• Crucifixion viewed as especially shameful in Jewish culture
• Deuteronomy 21:23: “Anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse”
• Occurred during Passover, linking Jesus’ death symbolically to the Passover lamb
• Jewish law required burial before sundown, especially before a Sabbath
• The charge of blasphemy (claiming to be God) was the Jewish religious charge against Jesus
• Many Jews expected a conquering Messiah, not a suffering one
• The cross seemed to contradict messianic expectations, becoming a “stumbling block” (1 Corinthians 1:23)

C. Political Context

• Roman occupation of Judea created tension and messianic expectations
• Crucifixion served as a graphic reminder of Roman power
• Pilate’s position was precarious after previous conflicts with Jewish leadership
• The title “King of the Jews” was politically provocative
• The cross demonstrated Rome’s brutal suppression of perceived rebels
• The religious leaders feared Jesus’ popularity would trigger Roman crackdown

III. THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CRUCIFIXION

 A. Atonement: Jesus as the Sacrifice for Sin

• Substitutionary atonement: Christ dying in place of sinners (Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
• Propitiation: Satisfying God’s righteous judgment against sin (Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2)
• Redemption: Paying the price to free humanity from sin and death (Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:18-19)
• Reconciliation: Restoring relationship between God and humanity (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
• Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)

 B. Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies

• Psalm 22: Details of crucifixion described 1,000 years earlier
  1. Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16)
  2. Garments divided and lots cast (Psalm 22:18)
  3. Suffering and mockery (Psalm 22:6-8)
  4. Cry of forsakenness (Psalm 22:1)
• Isaiah 53: The suffering servant
  1. Wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5)
  2. Silent before accusers (Isaiah 53:7)
  3. Numbered with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12)
  4. Buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9)
• Zechariah 12:10: “They will look on me, the one they have pierced”
• Psalm 69:21: Given vinegar to drink
• Exodus 12: Parallels to Passover lamb (no broken bones)

 C. The Cross as Victory

• Triumph over sin, death, and evil powers (Colossians 2:13-15)
• The defeat of Satan (John 12:31-33, Hebrews 2:14-15)
• Jesus’ cry “It is finished” (tetelestai) indicating completed work (John 19:30)
• The irony of apparent defeat becoming ultimate victory
• The cross as God’s wisdom overcoming worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)

 D. The Cross as Revelation of God’s Character

• Supreme demonstration of God’s love (John 3:16, Romans 5:8)
• Revelation of divine justice and mercy meeting (Romans 3:25-26)
• Display of God’s wisdom in solving the problem of sin (1 Corinthians 1:24)
• Expression of God’s power in apparent weakness (2 Corinthians 13:4)
• The glory of God revealed paradoxically in suffering (John 12:23-24)

 E. The Significance of the Seven Last Words

1. “Father, forgive them…” – Demonstrates forgiveness, intercession, and compassion
2. “Today you will be with me in paradise” – Shows authority to save, immediate salvation
3. “Woman, here is your son…” – Reveals care for others even in suffering
4. “My God, why have you forsaken me?” – Expresses the depth of Christ’s identification with human sin and its consequences
5. “I am thirsty” – Affirms Jesus’ full humanity and physical suffering
6. “It is finished” – Declares the completion of the work of salvation
7. “Father, into your hands…” – Shows trust and surrender to God

 F. The Tearing of the Temple Curtain

• Symbolized new access to God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19-22)
• End of separation between God and humanity
• Signified the end of the Old Covenant sacrificial system
• Indicated that Christ’s sacrifice provided direct access to God
• Tearing from top to bottom suggested divine rather than human action

 IV. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

A. The Call to Discipleship

• Taking up our own crosses in following Christ (Luke 9:23)
• Participating in Christ’s suffering (Philippians 3:10)
• Dying to self and sin (Romans 6:6-11)
• The paradox that the path to life comes through death (John 12:24-25)

 B. The Pattern for Christian Love

• Self-sacrificial love as the model for believers (Ephesians 5:1-2, 25)
• Forgiving others as we have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13)
• Loving enemies and persecutors (Matthew 5:44)
• Serving others even at personal cost (Philippians 2:5-8)

  C. Comfort in Suffering

• Jesus understands human suffering firsthand (Hebrews 4:15)
• Suffering can have redemptive purpose (Romans 8:28)
• God’s presence even in times of apparent abandonment
• The promise that suffering is not the final word (2 Corinthians 4:17)

  D. Confidence in Salvation

• Assurance that the work of salvation is complete (“It is finished”)
• Trust in Christ’s sufficient sacrifice rather than our own efforts
• Freedom from guilt and condemnation (Romans 8:1)
• Boldness to approach God through Christ (Hebrews 4:16)

 E. Response to the Cross

• Gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice
• Repentance from the sin that necessitated the cross
• Faith in the efficacy of Christ’s death
• Proclamation of the message of the cross to others
• Worship as the ultimate response to divine love

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

• Discussion Questions

1. Which of Jesus’ seven sayings from the cross speaks most powerfully to you and why?
2. How does understanding the historical reality of crucifixion deepen your appreciation of Christ’s sacrifice?
3. What does the crucifixion reveal about the character of God?
4. How might the different reactions of people at the cross (mockers, soldiers, disciples, the centurion) reflect different responses to Jesus today?
5. In what ways does the cross challenge contemporary values and worldviews?