1. The Suffering of Jesus Christ
Why? What? How?

2. Why?

3. Why was Jesus arrested? He challenged the authority of
Jewish-religious
leaders

4. E.g.
“worked” on Sabbath

5. E.g.
taught Law
“with authority”

6. E.g.
forgave sins
(only God can)

7. E.g.
disregarded
purity laws

8. E.g.
freely
associated
with sinners

9. E.g.
taught that material
wealth does not mean
being “right” with God;
being rich but ignoring
poor = sin

10. Why was Jesus arrested? He came to Jerusalem – much too directB.
He came to
Jerusalem –
much too direct
of a challenge
to Temple
authorities

11. E.g.
welcomed as
a king

12. E.g.
threw out money
changers in Temple
(religious epicenter)
– angered by
intertwining of
commerce/profit
with faith

13. What?

14. What was Jesus’ crime?
A. (for which he was arrested) Blasphemy =irreverent speech about God =claiming powers only God has =any thought, word, or act that expresses hatred or contempt for God Traditional punishment: death by stoning

15. What was Jesus’ crime? B. (for which he was crucified)
Blasphemy – not a capital crime in Roman Empire
Sedition/Treason
=claiming to be king in competition to Caesar
Traditional punishment: death by crucifixion

16. Is Jesus’ death the fault of the Jews?
No!
-Jesus had to be born to people in covenant
-To fulfill God’s plan, He had to die this way
-There were Jews in the trial who stood up for him: Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea…

17. How?

18. Crucifixion
= exceptionally brutal Roman execution = meant to be as horrific as possible to frighten people into obedience = reserved for the worst offenders of the lowest class = reserved for foreigners; not Roman citizens

19. 1. Scourging

20. Scourging
= whipping with whip that has pieces of bone & metal embedded in the leather = meant to tear skin off back = element of mocking (in Jesus’ case – crown of thorns, purple robe…)

21. 2. Carrying Cross

22. Carrying Cross
= carrying cross (300 lbs) / crossbeam ( lbs) on which one will be crucified on a bloody back ¼ mile (from Preston’s front door to East Tremont, uphill)

23. 3. Stripping

24. Stripping Garments
= meant to completely humiliate = meant to tear whipped/torn skin

25. 4. Nailing to Cross

26. Nailing to the Cross
= wrists nailed to crossbeam, that is then lifted into place = arms/feet tied to cross to keep body from tearing free from nails = to relieve pain in chest – push/pull on stakes through feet

27. 5. Crucifixion

28. Crucifixion
= could last for days before death from: - blood loss - sepsis - infection - dehydration - exposure - inability to breath (asphixiation – due to hyper- explansion of chest muscles & lungs)

29. Crucifixion
Foot rest – meant to prolong the suffering, offered opportunity to shift position & breath
Small seat (w/ upright spike) – also meant to allow shifting as well as additional pain

30. For whom did He do this?

31. Jesus was Human like us…
Gospels take great care to show human emotions - doubt - fear - pain - betrayal 100% human – NOT sheltered from human experience

32. Jesus was human like us…
Jesus showed us that it is not wrong to want to avoid pain & death. But His commitment to following God’s will was stronger than His fear.

33. Jesus was human like us…
Jesus willingly accepted
Ultimate pain
(refused wine/myrrh)
Humiliation
(physical & indignity of being between 2 thieves)

34. For God so loved the world…