1. Unit 4 Redemption Through the Paschal Mystery

2. Vocabulary Anti-Semitism Ascension Assumption Beloved Disciple Discipleship Grace High Priest Kerygma Last Judgment Martyrdom Paschal Lamb Passion Narrative Pentecost Sanhedrin Soul Talmud

3. Christ’s Redemptive Death Jesus’ Death and Resurrection is the high point of human history The mystery of redemption includes: – redemptive love and suffering on the Cross – Overcoming temptation by Satan – The events of the Passion/suffering Servant – The Kenosis – Philippians 2:5-11 From the Greek Kenoo (κένωσις ) – emptying Jesus emptied himself, taking on human likeness, in order to bring about our salvation.

4. Theological Meaning of the Death of Jesus Showed us the depth of God’s love – Redeemed us – Took away our sins – Restored us to communion with God

5. Who is Responsible for Jesus’ Death Historically there are different parties responsible for Jesus’ death – Pontius Pilate – The Jewish officials – All People

6. Pontius Pilate Crucifixion was used to execute slaves and revolutionaries Meant to torture and humiliate the condemned and warn those who witnessed it Pilate was the governor of Judea in 30 AD Pilate condemned Jesus after hearing charges and testimony against him. Jesus was crucified for the crime of insurrection, claiming to be the King of the Jewsinsurrection The person ultimately responsible for putting Jesus to death is Pontius Pilate.

7. Jewish Leaders Pharisees – a sect of Jews who tried to follow the Law of Moses to the letter Jesus had no formal training as a rabbi, yet preached with authority and had many followers. The Pharisees felt that Jesus often failed to follow the Law Jesus told them that he didn’t come to break the Law but to fulfill it.

8. Jesus came to clarify and enhance the Law – The Law forbids murder. Jesus told us to avoid anger because it leads to murder. – There were many dietary laws regarding what one could/couldn’t eat and how to prepare it – Jesus declared all foods “clean” because “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.” (Mark 7:20)

9. – The chief priest, Caiaphas, and members of the Sanhedrin were afraid of rebellion – They had great economic and social standing because of their positions in the Temple – If the people rebelled against Rome, the Romans would blame them for not controlling their people. – Caiaphas said, “You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.” (John 11:50)

10. All People Bear Responsibility No specific group of people is responsible for the death of Jesus. Each of us, as sinners, is ultimately responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. – Each time we sin, we betray Jesus. – Jesus died for OUR sins.

11. The Passion Narratives Details are found in each of the Gospels for the Passion (Suffering), Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. They include many references to the Old Testament, speaking about the death of the Messiah. See references on page 116-117 for examples.

12. Common Points Although the Gospels are written from different points of view and have different details, they all contain certain elements. The arrest Questioning by the high priest The trial before Pilate The trial before the Sanhedrin The Condemnation The Crucifixion The death The burial

13. Matthew and Mark Each Gospel focuses on particular aspects of the Paschal story to stress certain theological issues. Matthew and Mark stress the aspect of abandonment: – Judas’ betrayal of Jesus – The disciples asleep in the Garden – Peter’s denial – The apostles’ abandonment of Jesus at his arrest – The mocking and abandonment of the crowd – Jesus’ last words

14. This abandonment is overcome with the vindication of Jesus vindication – A Roman Centurion at the Cross recognizes Jesus – “Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’” (Mark 15:38-39)

15. Luke The apostles appear more favorably in Luke’s account. Luke’s focus is on the compassion of Jesus throughout his last hours. – Healing of the servant’s ear – Comforting the women on the road to Calvary – Promise of Paradise to the good thief – Forgiveness to his executioners – “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 24:46)

16. John In John’s account of the Passion, Jesus is in control of what is happening to him. – I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. (John 10:17-18) – When threatened by Pilate, Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11) John stresses the divinity of Jesus by using “I AM” statements, mirroring the divine name of Yahweh.

17. Jesus Enters Jerusalem Jesus sent his disciples into Jerusalem and tells them where to get the colt. Jesus entered Jerusalem on the colt as prophesized by Zechariah Crowds greeted Jesus, shouting “Hosanna,” spreading the cloaks before him, and waving palm branches

18. In the Temple Merchants were conducting religious related business, but taking advantage of the people. Jesus drove out the money changers. “It is written,‘ My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers” He angers the Temple officials

19. Conspiracy Against Jesus The Jewish leaders thought Jesus was dangerous to the Jews. They had to find a way to stop him that would not cause riots with his followers. Sadducees were afraid the Romans would take away their power in the Temple

20. Anointing at Bethany According to John’s Gospel, Jesus is anointed by Mary, the sister of Lazarus. Judas complains that it is a waste of money that could have been given to the poor. Jesus praises her actions. They are a foreshadow of anointing the dead to prepare his body for burial.

21. Judas’ Betrayal The Temple officials arrange for Judas to turn Jesus over to their guards. Judas is paid thirty pieces of silver for his help. Luke and John write that Satan influenced Judas to betray his friend.

22. The Last Supper Jesus plans the meal, instructing his disciples on how to set it up. Jesus foretells the betrayal by one who was with them. Judas makes himself known and Jesus tells him to go and do what he must.

25. Eucharist Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and distributed it to the apostles. – “Take and eat; this is my body.” (Mt 26:26) Jesus then took the cup of wine, blessed it, and passed it to the apostles. – “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mt. 26:27-28)

26. When they had finished eating, Jesus and the Apostles went to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. On the way to the garden, Jesus predicts that they will abandon him in the near future. Peter swears that he will never abandon Jesus, that he would rather die. Jesus tells Peter, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” (Matthew 26:34)

27. The Agony in the Garden In a very human moment, Jesus shows his agonizing decision as to whether he should go through the torturous death he is facing. “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” (Matthew 26:35) Jesus embraces his destiny and is obedient to his death.

28. While Jesus is praying and agonizing in the garden, he told the apostles to wait and pray with him. Jesus warns them that they will have to stay awake to prepare for the coming test of their faith. They are so filled with grief that they are unable to stay awake with him.

29. The Arrest Judas leads a mob of priests, elders, and Temple guards to arrest Jesus. Judas identifies Jesus by kissing him. Peter cuts off the ear of the High Priest’s servant, but Jesus scolds him and heals the man. Jesus also scolds the crowd because they came in the night to arrest him when he had been in the city and the Temple, out in the open, for days before this.

30. Before the Sanhedrin Jesus was brought before the Jewish officials first. The High Priest Caiaphas, former High Priest Annas, the Sanhedrin, scribes, and elders of the Temple attended the trial. They tried to get false evidence and testimony against Jesus to convict him of BLASPHEMY. Blasphemy carried with it the death penalty. Jesus was mocked, struck, slapped and spat on

31. Peter’s Denial Matthew 26:69-75 Peter was in the courtyard when he was approached by three different people who recognized him as a friend of Jesus. Each time Peter denied knowing Jesus. When Peter hears the rooster crow that morning, he realized that he did exactly what he told Jesus he wouldn’t do. Peter is filled with sorrow and cries bitterly.

32. Peter and Judas Peter was overcome with repentance and sorrow for what he did, and spent the rest of his life proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. Peter died as a martyr, crucified by the Romans Judas also realized what he had done in betraying Jesus and was overcome with grief and despair. He committed suicide by hanging.

33. Jesus before Pilate The Jewish officials do not have the power under Rome’s rule to carry out their sentence on Jesus, so they take him to Pilate to be tried under the Roman law. The Romans did not care about the Jewish Law, so new charges had to be made. Jesus was charged with insurrection, trying to incite the people to overthrow Rome.

34. Pilate knows Jesus is not guilty, but allows him to be convicted. Pilate’s wife warns him to have nothing to do with Jesus. When Pilate finds out that Jesus is from Galilee, he sends him to Herod Antipas to be tried. Herod is the ruler of the province of Galilee. Herod wants a sign of Jesus’ power but doesn’t get one Jesus is returned to Pilate

35. Pilate tries again to avoid making the final decision about Jesus. Jesus does not answer the questions or charges by Pilate. For Passover, the crowd is given the choice of two prisoners to release, Jesus or Barabbas. The crowd calls out for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be crucified.

36. Pilate pronounces Jesus guilty of sedition and sentences him to die. Jesus is taken by the guards to be beaten, scourged, and mocked. The guards stripped him and dressed him in a soldier’s cloak with a crown of thorns, calling him “King of the Jews” Pilate washed his hands, claiming innocence in Jesus’ death

37. The Crucifixion Jesus was given the beam of his cross to carry to Golgotha to be crucified. His beating was so severe that a man in the crowd, Simon of Cyrene, was ordered to help him carry it.

38. At Golgotha, Jesus was stripped of his garments and nailed to the cross. The guards gambled for his clothing. He was offered a drink, but refused it. The inscription over his head was INRI, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” was meant to mock Jesus again.