Ch.5: The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ

Christ’s Redemptive Death Jesus’ redemptive Death and Resurrection is the high point of human history, promised from the time of Adam and Eve’s sin. The theological and historical understandings of the events surrounding Christ’s Death help to reveal its meaning:

Theological Meaning of the Death of Jesus Representing all humanity like Adam, Jesus took on the sins of the world and died the death we deserve.

Christ’s humanity became the instrument of divine love, suffering so that we might be forgiven for our sins and be restored to communion with God. Jesus’ motive for accepting Death was the desire to free humans from sin and to buy our freedom with his very Person and his eternal love.

Who Is Responsible for Jesus Death? Roman authorities: The Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate, gave in to the pressure of the crowd because he viewed Jesus as a threat to Roman authority and peaceful relations between Jewish and Roman authorities. Teachers may here comment on the political situation of the time in Jerusalem and personal background on Pontius Pilate (cf. p.113).

Who Is Responsible for Jesus Death? Jewish Authorities: Certain Jewish officials wanted Jesus condemned for many reasons: Jesus’ association with sinners His exorcisms Jesus’ teaching on dietary and ritual laws His teaching with authority His claims to be the Messiah and even God His forgiving sins Fear of disruption of relations with Roman authorities Teachers should note that not all Jews desired the death of Jesus (e.g. Joseph of Arimathea).

Discussion: Why would it be wrong to say that Pilate or Jews are entirely to blame for Jesus’ death? Blaming Jews for the Death of Christ is a form of anti-Semitism and is contrary to the love of Christ. Ultimately, all people bear responsibility for Jesus’ Death since he died for the sins of us all.

Overview of the Passion Narratives The Evangelists agree on essential details of the events of the Passion: Jesus’ arrest Questioning by the high priest Trials before Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate Condemnation Crucifixion Death Burial However, each shaped the events of Christ’s Passion in order to emphasize certain theological points.

Matthew and Mark Stress Jesus’ abandonment Vindication in the end Judas’s betrayal Disciples falling asleep in garden Peter’s denial Disciples flee upon arrest Jesus mocked by soldiers Vindication in the end Temple veil torn in two Roman centurion confesses, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Luke Portrays apostles more favorably: Disciples fall asleep only once (because of grief) Emphasizes Jesus’ compassion during his Passion: Jesus healing servant’s ear in garden Comforts women on way to Calvary Promises paradise to Good Thief Prays for forgiveness for his executioners

John Portrays Jesus in control of events: “I lay down my life in order to take it up again” (Jn 10:17) When asked his identity, Jesus says “I AM” (the divine name), causing the soldiers to fall to the ground Jesus tells Peter to put sword away He entrusts Mary to John His last words: “It is finished” (Jn 19:30) Recall that the divine name (YHWH) means “I am.”

Discussion: How do you think the differing emphases of each Gospel enhance our overall understanding of Christ’s Passion and Death? If time allows and the teacher so chooses, the class may be divided into groups and each group assigned to one Gospel. After some time, each group reports back how their assigned Gosepl contributes to our understanding of the significance of Christ’s Passion and Death.

Tracing the Events of Our Salvation The Paschal Mystery of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection are the central part of God’s eternal plan and are revealed in each of the Gospels. Matthew 26-27 provides an especially descriptive account of these events:

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21:1-13) Jesus arrives in Jerusalem during the week of Passover, the Jewish feast celebrating God’s delivery of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. He sends two disciples ahead to retrieve a colt for him to ride. People lay down palms as he enters the city. Jesus chases moneychangers out of the Temple. Teachers may choose to read selections of Matthew’s account or watch clips from movies like Jesus of Nazareth in order to supplement this part of the presentation.

Conspiracy against Jesus (Mt 26:1-5) Jewish authorities scheme how to arrest Jesus without causing a riot. High priest, Joseph Caiaphas, says better for one man to die than whole nation.

Jesus’ anointing at Bethany (Mt 26:6-13) Woman anoints Jesus’ with expensive oil Disciples criticize the waste, but Jesus commends the woman for anointing him for burial

Judas’s betrayal (Mt 26:14-16) Betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver His actions were influenced by Satan

Last Supper (Mt 26:17-35) Jesus plans the meal (shows he is in control) At the meal Jesus foretells his betrayal Jesus celebrates Passover meal and institutes the Eucharist as the memorial of his sacrifice

Agony in the garden and Jesus’ arrest (Mt 26:36-56) Jesus prays that the cup pass from him, yet resolves to obey God’s will Disciples fall asleep three times Judas leads armed crowd and betrays Jesus with a kiss Jesus reprimands Peter for drawing his sword

Jesus before the Sanhedrin and Peter’s denial (Mt 26:57-27:10) Hearings before former high priest Annas, current high priest Caiaphas, and Sanhedrin False witnesses brought against Jesus Jesus convicted of blasphemy in the end Meanwhile Peter denies Jesus three times

Jesus before Pilate (Mt 27:11-31) Jesus brought to Pontius Pilate on charges of sedition Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, who sends Jesus back without condemning him Pilate gives the crowd the choice to have Jesus or Barabbas released—Barabbas is chosen Pilate gives in to crowd’s chants to crucify Jesus Soldiers mock and abuse Jesus

Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (Mt 27:32-56) Simon of Cyrene forced to help carry the cross because Jesus so weak Jesus refuses wine mixed with gall (painkiller) soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ garments

Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Jesus is crucified between two criminals Inscription placed above his head: “King of the Jews” Before dying Jesus recites a line from Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Jesus dies and the Temple veil is rent Jesus’ mother Mary, apostle John, and some other disciples present at cross Teachers should explain that the veil separated the outer area of the Temple from the inner sanctuary, where God was supposed to reside. The tearing of the veil symbolizes the fact that Christ’s sacrificial death has overcome the separation between humanity and God.

Burial (Mt 27:57-66) Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body The body is hurriedly prepared since Sabbath began at sundown