Jesus’ death

Matthew 27:32-66.

To help students learn that Jesus died for them.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die’” (John 11:25-26a, NIV*).

In general, preadolescents recognize when they do something wrong. Children who grew up in Christian homes know that they should ask for forgiveness when they deliberately disobey God.

On the other hand, even those who grew up in non-Christian families can know the difference between good and the bad since their conscience can alert them when they do wrong things.

In addition, children know that sooner or later, disobedience and misconduct bring consequences, since they have already experienced this. For example, they know that they will receive punishment if they hurt their younger brother or if they disrespect an adult.

Everyone should understand that through the death of Jesus, they can receive forgiveness for their sins. This lesson will help them understand that the suffering and death of Jesus Christ is the price of our salvation.

Read Matthew 27:32-66. The persecution of Jesus did not end with an unfair trial. On the way to Calvary, the Jewish leaders went by Jesus’ side, mocking and challenging him to show his power and save himself. The blows and lashes had weakened him in such a way that he could not carry the weight of the cross. So, they ordered a man from Cyrene to help the Savior carry the heavy cross. Historians say that the cross-weighed between 34 and 56 kg (75 to 125 pounds).

Jesus felt like his Father had forsaken him. Sin separates people from God, and on this sad occasion, Jesus bore the sins of the whole world.

The only ones who remained faithful to Jesus were the women who accompanied him at the foot of the cross during the whole time of his agony.

Joseph of Arimathea showed great courage by appearing before Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body in order to bury him. Joseph and Nicodemus took the body and, wrapping it in canvas with spices; they placed it in a grave that was in a garden.

The Jewish leaders tried to make Jesus feel like the worst of criminals, sentencing him to a death destined for the most terrible people. However, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus honored the Master, placing his body in a new tomb and wrapping it in a sheet perfumed with costly aromatic spices.

At the moment Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in half, giving us direct access to God. Now we can worship God anywhere and at any time. The death of Jesus provided a bridge to restore our relationship with God and give us eternal life.

Memory Verse Activity

To review the memory verse, ask the class to look for the words hidden and mixed up in the puzzle in the student resources worksheet.

Then, repeat the verse together, and help those who have difficulty learning it.

What would you sacrifice for your sins?

Ask your students to turn to this activity in Student Activity Sheet #330-A. Use this activity to give a brief explanation of the sacrificial system used in the Old Testament.

Tell them: In the time of the Old Testament, people offered sacrifices to express gratitude to God or to ask for forgiveness for their sins. The first sacrificed animal was to atone for the sins of Adam and Eve. Although grain offerings were also presented, the common sacrifice was animals.

The prophets warned the people that their sacrifices were not enough if they did not love and obey God. The sacrifices of the Old Testament were a sign of the way Jesus was going to die.

The theme of today’s class refers to the last sacrifice that was offered on earth for the forgiveness of our sins: the death of Jesus.

Ask a member of your congregation to dress in a tunic and represent a biblical messenger, giving the following information:

“Last minute news: Jesus of Nazareth was condemned to die! Pilate was the one who gave the order. After beating and whipping him, the Roman court declared Jesus Christ guilty of treason, and within a few hours, he will be executed.

The condemned man will have to carry his cross of around 40 or 50 kg. up to Golgotha (place of the Skull), where he will be crucified.

A large crowd has gathered near the place of execution to witness the event. If you want to know more details of this story, read our informative section in Matthew 27:32-66.”

Thank the visitor for their participation. Then, ask everyone to take turns reading aloud the passage from Matthew 27:32-66.

Why did Jesus have to die?

Have the students find this activity on Student Activity Sheet #330-B. Divide the class into pairs or small groups, and instruct them to help each other find the Bible verses and then the missing words. Then, talk about the importance of Jesus’ death and its meaning for all Christians around the world.