Jesus’ trial
key words
biblical reference
Mark 14:43-50; 15:1-20
memory verse
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NIV*).
lesson objective
To help children understand that Jesus suffered to become our Savior.
prepare yourself to teach
While Jesus woke his sleepy disciples in Gethsemane, the chief priests, teachers of the law, and the elders appeared with a large crowd. Judas had made arrangements with them to identify Jesus with a kiss, to let the authorities know they could arrest him.
One of the disciples, angry over the arrest of Jesus, drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the servants of the high priest. The Gospel of John identifies this disciple as Peter and tells how Jesus miraculously healed this wounded man.
The painful prediction of the abandonment and desertion of his disciples came true. When they saw that Jesus did not resist the arrest and that no one from heaven came to his aid, they were frustrated. Was this the Messiah they were looking for? It was not a frustration of courage but of faith.
Early in the morning, the religious leaders brought Jesus before Pilate (Mark 15: 1-20). They had already judged him the night before, but because Israel was under Roman rule Pilate needed to pronounce the death sentence.
Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews, to which he replied, “You have said so.” Religious leaders continued to maintain their accusations against Jesus. Pilate asked him other questions, but Jesus was silent. And they made a disastrous mistake when they left the authority of the decision to the crowd. However, the final decision was Pilate’s.
Pilate asked the crowd, “What do I do with this man they call ‘the King of the Jews’?” The response from the crowd was not reliable, because the religious leaders had brought most of those who were present. The chief priests stirred up the crowd and asked Pilate to release Barabbas (a prisoner who had committed murder) instead of Jesus.
For Jesus, the crowd shouted: “Crucify Him!” Pilate lost control. He allowed Barabbas, a murderer, to be released; then ordered that Jesus be punished and be prepared for crucifixion.
The soldiers took Jesus into the palace, mocked him, placed a purple robe on him, and put a crown of thorns on his head. They started calling him “King of the Jews.” Then they beat him and spat on him. Falling on their knees, they mocked him as if they were paying homage to him. Then they put his clothes back on and removed the purple robe. They had no idea how prophetic the mockery was for the character and mission of Jesus, because Jesus is King.
adaptation
Young children are still egocentric, so it is likely that they find it difficult to understand that a person is willing to suffer for them, as well as understand what their parents have also been willing to suffer for their protection.
Hopefully, this lesson will help them understand why Jesus was willing to suffer for them long ago. They may see Jesus as a personal friend who cared so much for them that he was willing to suffer.
introduce the lesson
Children are very sensitive to pain and suffering. Use this to emphasize the pain and suffering that Jesus experienced during his trial. Not only was he sad because his disciples abandoned him, but he also suffered physical pain, his body went through the shock and pain of being beaten, and he was ridiculed. All because of his love for us.
Make your children aware that this was for each of them as well. Many do not feel guilty or included in this sacrifice, but this is your job, as the teacher, to help them experience and feel the pain of Christ’s suffering.
teach the lesson
Study Mark 14:43-50 and 15:1-20 prior to this session and be ready to tell the story in your own words.
If possible, for this lesson bring some pictures that show the passion of Christ. If your church has a television and DVD player, or laptop with DVD player available, show or project part of the movie “Jesus” (or another video that relates to this Bible passage). Be sure to include some scenes of Jesus’ suffering. If none of these are possible, then try to bring another object that can relate to the passion of Christ, such as a whip, to show your children the suffering that Jesus endured before he was put to death on the cross.
Be emotional when presenting this lesson. Try to get your children to really understand the suffering and despair that Jesus felt. Include songs or hymns like “The Old Rugged Cross,” or “At Calvary,” etc.
Today’s lesson is not a sad story from the point of view of the events that took place. Perhaps many in the crowd that condemned him were some of those who had welcomed him the previous week saying: “Hosanna! hosanna!” and spread their garments in his path. Because of the abandonment of the disciples, the accusations, the trial, the hatred of the crowd and the beatings, today’s story is very sad. But, it is also a story of victory to see the triumph of love. Jesus did not opt for violence nor vengeance; his response was obedience and love for us.
connect the lesson
Why did Jesus suffer for us?
Give each child Student Activity Sheet #117, crayons, pencils, construction paper or cardboard, scissors, glue and transparent tape.
Allow time for children to describe what is happening in each of the pictures. (The first is Jesus’ trial before Pilate, the second is when the soldiers beat him, and the third is the crosses, representing Jesus being crucified and asking God’s forgiveness for his enemies.) Each picture shows what Jesus suffered: he received unjust treatment and did not deserve what they did to him. However, he preferred to suffer so that we might have eternal life.
Ask your children how they think Jesus felt, and how they think they would feel if they received the treatment Jesus received and suffered the way he suffered.
Have the children draw a line to connect Jesus’ response to the suffering of each drawing. Ask them to look up Luke 23:34 and read it together. Give them time to dialogue on this passage and express their feelings.
practice the memory verse
Be sure to do a sample of this worksheet before today’s lesson. Allow each child to take a large sheet of paper (12 x 8 cm) of their favorite color. Show them the example you’ve already made and tell them that this poster will help them to better understand Romans 5:8. Explain that there is no order to place the pictures in, but the words of the memory verse must be in the correct order.
Highlight the figure of Jesus on the donkey, Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, and Jesus on the cross. Explain that these are the ways in which God shows his love for us. Point out the figure of the empty tomb and tell them that this is the way God shows us his forgiveness.
Tell them that they should take the verse home with them and put their posters in their room, or somewhere in their house. This will help them to memorize the verse for this unit.
wrap-up
Pray
Do not forget to have them tell you their prayer requests, and then pray with them before leaving.
Encourage
Encourage the group to remember that Jesus suffered much for us. So, we should always stand strong for him.
Invite
Lastly, sing a song or two of praise to God for Jesus as you end the session. Be sure to encourage them to come for the next session and to bring friends.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™