The Death And Burial of Jesus JSS2 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

 THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF JESUS

LESSON OBJECTIVES

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

1. Describe the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion and death as recorded in the Gospels
2. Explain the theological significance of Jesus’ death in Christian faith
3. Identify the key figures involved in Jesus’ burial and their roles
4. Analyze the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus’ death and burial
5. Apply the meaning of Jesus’ sacrificial death to personal faith and life

INTRODUCTION

The death and burial of Jesus Christ represent the central events in Christian salvation history. These events, recorded in all four Gospels, mark the culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry and sacrificial mission. The crucifixion was not merely an execution but the means by which, according to Christian theology, Jesus took upon Himself the sins of humanity and reconciled people to God. His burial confirmed the reality of His death and set the stage for the resurrection that would follow. This lesson explores the historical accounts, theological significance, and personal implications of Jesus’ death and burial.

1. THE CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH OF JESUS
2. The Journey to Golgotha

• After His trials and scourging, Jesus was led away to be crucified (Matthew 27:31, Mark 15:20)
• Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26)
• A large crowd followed, including women who mourned for Him (Luke 23:27-31)
• Jesus was led to Golgotha (“the place of the skull”) (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33, John 19:17)

1. The Crucifixion Process

• Jesus was offered wine mixed with gall/myrrh (a mild analgesic), but refused it (Matthew 27:34, Mark 15:23)
• He was crucified between two criminals (Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:33, John 19:18)
• Roman soldiers divided His garments and cast lots for His seamless robe (Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:23-24)
• Pilate had a notice placed 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

1. The Seven Last Words of Jesus

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)

1. Mockery and Witnesses at the Cross

• Passersby, chief priests, teachers of the law, and elders mocked Jesus (Matthew 27:39-43, Mark 15:29-32)
• One criminal joined in the mockery, while the other rebuked him and asked for Jesus’ mercy (Luke 23:39-43)
• A group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and Salome watched from a distance (Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41)
• Mary (Jesus’ mother) and the disciple John stood near the cross (John 19:25-27)
• A Roman centurion acknowledged Jesus’ innocence and divinity (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47)

1. Supernatural Events During the Crucifixion

• 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)

1. The Death of Jesus

• After approximately six hours on the cross, Jesus cried out and gave up His spirit (Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46, John 19:30)
• To ensure He was dead, a soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out (John 19:31-37)
• The legs of the two criminals were broken to hasten death, but Jesus’ legs were not broken because He was already dead

1. THE BURIAL OF JESUS
2. Key Figures in Jesus’ Burial

1. Joseph of Arimathea
   1. A wealthy and prominent member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish council) (Matthew 27:57, Mark 15:43)
   2. A good and righteous man who had not consented to the council’s decision (Luke 23:50-51)
   3. A secret disciple of Jesus who had become a follower (John 19:38)
   4. Boldly asked Pilate for Jesus’ body (Mark 15:43)
2. Nicodemus
   1. A Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council (John 3:1)
   2. Previously came to Jesus at night to inquire about His teaching (John 3:1-21)
   3. Brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about 75 pounds (John 19:39)
   4. Assisted Joseph with the burial preparations
3. The Women
   1. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed the burial (Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47)
   2. Several women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb (Luke 23:55)
   3. They prepared spices and perfumes for Jesus’ body after observing how His body was laid (Luke 23:56)

1. The Burial Process

• Pilate was surprised Jesus had died so quickly and confirmed His death with the centurion (Mark 15:44-45)
• Joseph bought a linen cloth for the body (Mark 15:46)
• The body was taken down from the cross before sunset (the beginning of Sabbath)
• Jesus’ body was wrapped in clean linen cloth with the spices, according to Jewish burial customs (John 19:40)
• The body was placed in Joseph’s own new tomb, which had been cut out of rock (Matthew 27:60)
• A large stone was rolled in front of the entrance (Matthew 27:60, Mark 15:46)
• The women planned to return after the Sabbath to properly anoint the body (Mark 16:1, Luke 23:56-24:1)

1. Securing the Tomb

• The chief priests and Pharisees asked Pilate to secure the tomb (Matthew 27:62-64)
• They remembered Jesus’ prediction that He would rise after three days
• Pilate provided a guard and the tomb was sealed (Matthew 27:65-66)
• This would later become evidence against claims that the disciples stole the body

III. THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

1. Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies

• Division of garments and casting lots for clothing (Psalm 22:18)
• Being numbered with transgressors/crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12)
• “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1)
• Given vinegar/sour wine to drink (Psalm 69:21)
• No bones broken (Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalm 34:20)
• Piercing of His side (Zechariah 12:10)
• Buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9)

1. Atonement: Jesus as the Sacrifice for Sin

• Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)
• His sacrificial death as payment for human sin (Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2)
• The concept of substitutionary atonement: Christ dying in our place (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• Connection to Passover: Christ as our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)
• The new covenant established through His blood (Luke 22:20, Hebrews 9:15)

1. Reconciliation: Restoring Relationship with God

• The tearing of the temple curtain symbolizing new access to God (Hebrews 10:19-22)
• Christ as mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5)
• Peace with God through the cross (Colossians 1:20, Ephesians 2:14-16)
• Reconciliation as the heart of the gospel message (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

1. Victory Over Sin, Death, and Evil

• Jesus’ cry “It is finished” indicating completed work (John 19:30)
• The defeat of the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:14-15)
• Death as the last enemy to be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26)
• Jesus’ death as the decisive moment in cosmic spiritual warfare

1. The Necessity of Jesus’ Death and Burial

• Jesus’ predictions throughout His ministry (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, 20:17-19)
• Death as the necessary prelude to resurrection (John 12:24)
• The burial confirming the reality of Jesus’ death (countering “swoon theory”)
• The burial as preparation for the resurrection that would follow

1. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
2. Roman Crucifixion Practices

• Crucifixion as the most shameful and painful form of execution
• Reserved primarily for slaves, pirates, and enemies of the state
• Designed for maximum public humiliation and prolonged suffering
• Victims typically left on crosses as warnings, making proper burial unusual

1. Jewish Burial Customs

• Importance of burial before sundown, especially before Sabbath (Deuteronomy 21:23)
• Washing and anointing the body with spices and perfumes
• Wrapping in linen cloths
• Placement in a tomb rather than ground burial for those who could afford it
• Stone rolled across tomb entrance to prevent animal access and grave robbery

1. The Timing of the Death and Burial

• Jesus died during Passover, linking His sacrifice to the Passover lamb
• Buried hastily before the Sabbath began at sundown
• The timing fulfilled the sign of Jonah: three days and nights (Matthew 12:40)

1. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
2. The Meaning of the Cross for Believers

• Personal identification with Christ’s death (Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:1-11)
• Gratitude for the price paid for our redemption
• The cross as the central symbol of Christian faith and identity
• Finding strength in suffering through Christ’s example

1. Responding to Jesus’ Sacrifice

• Accepting the gift of salvation through faith
• Living in light of what Jesus accomplished
• Taking up our own crosses in discipleship (Matthew 16:24)
• Proclaiming the message of the cross to others (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23)

1. Facing Death with Hope

• Jesus’ example of entrusting Himself to God at death
• The Christian view of death transformed by Christ’s experience
• Comfort in knowing Christ has gone through death before us
• The burial as pointing toward resurrection hope

1. The Cost of Discipleship

• Joseph and Nicodemus risking their positions to honor Jesus
• The call to public identification with Christ despite potential cost
• Moving from secret to open discipleship
• Standing for Christ when others mock or reject Him

1. TEACHING ACTIVITIES
2. Discussion Questions

1. Why is the crucifixion central to Christian faith? How would Christianity be different without it?
2. Which of Jesus’ seven last words from the cross speaks most powerfully to you and why?
3. What significance do you find in the tearing of the temple curtain and other supernatural events?
4. How does Joseph of Arimathea’s example challenge us as followers of Jesus today?
5. In what ways does understanding Jesus’ suffering and death help us face our own suffering?

1. Interactive Learning

1. Compare Gospel Accounts: Create a chart comparing how each Gospel describes Jesus’ death and burial.
2. Prophecy Fulfillment: Match Old Testament prophecies with their New Testament fulfillment in the crucifixion.
3. Timeline Activity: Create a timeline of events from the Last Supper through the burial.
4. Role Perspective: Write reflections from different viewpoints (centurion, Mary, Joseph of Arimathea, etc.).
5. Visual Meditation: Thoughtfully examine artistic depictions of the crucifixion from church history.

1. Application Activities

1. Personal Reflection: Write a letter of gratitude to Jesus for His sacrifice.
2. Memorial Design: Design a memorial that captures the significance of Jesus’ death and burial.
3. Modern Parallel: Identify modern examples of people who have taken costly stands for their faith.
4. Holy Week Experience: Plan a meaningful way to commemorate Jesus’ death during Holy Week.
5. Scripture Memorization: Learn key verses about the meaning of the cross.

VII. SENSITIVITY CONSIDERATIONS

• The crucifixion involves graphic violence that may distress younger or sensitive students
• Cultural differences may affect how people relate to images of the cross
• Some students may have experienced recent bereavements, making discussions of death difficult
• The historical reality of anti-Semitism related to misunderstandings about who was responsible for Jesus’ death
• Respectful presentation that balances historical reality with appropriate restraint

VIII. CONCLUSION

The death and burial of Jesus Christ stand at the heart of Christian faith and theology. Far from being merely tragic events, they represent God’s sovereign plan for the redemption of humanity. Through His sacrificial death, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, reconciled humanity to God, and achieved victory over the powers of evil. His proper burial confirmed the reality of His death and prepared for the miracle of resurrection. These events challenge believers to respond with faith, gratitude, and commitment to the One who gave His life for their salvation.