Jesus Is CrucifiedMt 27:31-44; Mk 15:20-32; Lk 23:26-38; Jn 19:16-22

11

The Jewish leaders had brought Jesus toPilate, the Roman ruler of the Jews, hoping thatPilate would agree that Jesus must die. Pilateknew that he should set Jesus free because Jesushad done nothing wrong. But Pilate felt that itwas more important to please the Jewish leaders.So he ordered his soldiers to crucify Jesus.

Pilate’s soldiers took the purple robe thatthey had used to make fun of Jesus off him andput Jesus’ own clothes back on him. Then theyled Jesus out of the city of Jerusalem to a placecalled Calvary. There the crucifixion wouldtake place.

A large crowd followed Jesus to Calvary.Some of these people hated Jesus and were gladto see him suffer. Others were his friends, peoplewho loved him. Still others were only curious.They wanted to see what was going to happen.

The soldiers made Jesus carry the cross onwhich he would be crucified. But Jesus was veryweak from the beatings he had received. Soon hecould not carry the heavy cross any farther. Thesoldiers then stopped a man named Simon, whowas passing by on his way to Jerusalem. They

made him carry thecross the rest of theway to Calvary.

The soldiersalso led two othermen to be crucifiedwith Jesus. The menwere thieves whohad done manywicked things.

It was aboutnine o’clock on Fridaymorning when Jesusand the crowd cameto Calvary. There thesoldiers nailed Jesus’hands and feet to the

cross. Then they also crucified the two thieves.One thief ’s cross was placed on the right side ofJesus, and the other, on his left.

Pilate had told the soldiers to put a sign atthe top of Jesus’ cross so that the people wouldknow why he was being put to death. The signsaid, “THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KINGOF THE JEWS.” This sign made the enemies ofJesus very angry. They wanted Pilate to changethe sign to say, “This man said that he is the kingof the Jews.” But Pilate told them, “What I havewritten, I have written. I will not change it.”

Many people made fun of Jesus as theywalked by the cross. They said, “If you are theSon of God, come down from the cross.”

The Jewish leaders also laughed at Jesusand said, “He saved others, but he can’t savehimself.” They said to Jesus, “If you are the Sonof God, why don’t you come down from thecross? Then we will believe in you.”

Even the thieves who were being crucifiedwith Jesus made fun of him. But later, one of thethieves stopped doing this when he understoodand believed that Jesus was his Savior.

GRADES 1-2 | SS | YEAR 1 | SPRING | LESSON 11

© 2012 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Although Jesus was suffering greatly, hedid not become angry. He willingly suffered

and died so that all people could be saved.

This lesson shows Jesuscontinuing his work ofpaying for our sins byallowing himself to becrucified. We thank

and praise Jesus for being willing to suffer anddie to earn salvation for us.

1. God has given you many blessings. Finishthe incomplete ones shown below, and drawone more. Then draw a circle around themost precious thing God has given you.

2. Is there a cross—the symbol of Jesus’ savinglove—hanging in your home? If not, perhapsyour family could shop for one or make one (trygluing colorful dry beans and peas in a pleasingpattern on a cross cut from plywood or sturdycardboard). Hang the cross where family andguests will be able to see it. Discuss whyChristians display crosses in their homes andchurches and wear them as jewelry. The cross is aconstant reminder that Jesus paid the punishmentfor all our sins so that we can have eternal life.

I’m a sinner; I was lost.Lord, you died upon a cross,Suffering pain and agony.Thank you, Lord, for saving me. Amen.

* John 3:16

* The Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son,our Lord, who was conceived by the HolySpirit, born of the virgin Mary, sufferedunder Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, andwas buried. He descended into hell. Thethird day he rose again from the dead. Heascended into heaven and is seated at theright hand of God the Father almighty.From there he will come to judge theliving and the dead.