STORY 301
The Big Parade
Luke 19:28-38
Jesus went on toward Jerusalem. As he was getting near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples
on ahead. He told them, "Go into the next village where you will find a young donkey that has never
been ridden. Untie the donkey and bring it here. If any- one asks why you are doing that, just say the
Lord needs it." They went off and found everything just as Jesus had said. While they were untying the
donkey, its owners asked, "Why are you doing that?" They answered, "The Lord needs it." Then they led
the donkey to Jesus. They put some of their clothes on its back and helped Jesus get on. As he rode
along, the people spread clothes on the road in front of him. When Jesus was starting down the Mount
of Olives, his disciples were happy and praised God because of all the miracles they had seen. They
shouted, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God."
STORY 302
Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Luke 19:39-44
Some Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, make your disciples stop shouting!" But Jesus
answered, "If they keep quiet, the stones will still shout and sing!" When Jesus came closer, he could see
Jerusalem. He cried and said, "It is too bad that today your people don't know what will bring them
peace! Now it is hidden from them. Jerusalem, the time will come when your enemies will build walls
around you to attack you. Armies will surround you and close in on you from every side. They will level
you to the ground and kill your people. Not one stone in your buildings will be left on top of another.
This will happen because you did not see that God had come to save you."
STORY 303
Healing in the Temple
Matthew 21:14-16
Blind and lame people came to Jesus in the temple, and he healed them. But the chief priests and the
teachers of the Law of Moses were angry when they saw his miracles and heard the children shouting
praises to the Son of David. The men said to Jesus, "Don't you hear what those children are saying?"
"Yes, I do!" Jesus answered. "Don't you know that the Scriptures say, `Children and infants will sing
praises?"" Then Jesus left the city and went out to the village of Bethany, where he spent the night.
STORY 304
Judas Betrays Jesus
Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16
When Jesus had finished teaching, he told his disciples, "You know that two days from now will be
Passover. That is when the Son of Man will be handed over to his enemies and nailed to a cross." At that
time the chief priests and the nation's leaders were meeting at the home of Caiaphas, the high priest.
They planned how they could have Jesus arrested and put to death. But they said, "We must not do it
during Passover because the people will riot. "Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples. He went to
the chief priests and asked, "How much will you give me if I help you arrest Jesus? "They paid Judas
thirty silver coins. From then, he started Looking for a good chance to betray Jesus.
STORY 305
A Special Meal is Prepared
Luke 22:7-13
The day had come for the Passover. Jesus said to Peter and John, "Go and prepare the Passover meal for
us to eat. They asked, "Where do you want us to prepare it? Jesus told them, "As you go into the city,
you will meet a man carrying a jar of water. Follow him into the house and say to the owner, 'Our
teacher wants to know where he can eat the Passover meal with his disciples.' The owner will take you
upstairs and show you a large room ready for you to use. Prepare the meal there." Peter and John left.
They found everything just as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
STORY 309
The Lord's Supper
Mark 14:18-25
While Jesus and the twelve disciples were eating together that evening, Jesus said, "The one who will
betray me is now eating with me." This made the disciples sad. They each said to Jesus, "You surely
don't mean me!" He answered, "It is one of you twelve dish with men who is eating from me. The Son of
Man will die, just as the Scriptures say. But it is going to be terrible for the one who betrays me. That
man would be better off if he had never been born." During the meal Jesus took some bread in his
hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, "Take this. It is my
body." Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He gave it to his disciples. They all drank
some. Then he said, "This is my blood, which is poured out for many people. With it God makes his
promise. From now on I will not drink any wine until I drink new wine in God's kingdom."
STORY 313
Peter Will Deny Jesus
Mark 14:26-31
The disciples sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus said to his disciples, "All of you will
reject me, as the Scriptures say, 'I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' But
after I am raised to life, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." Peter spoke up, "Even if all the others reject
you, I never will!" Jesus replied, "This very night before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times
that you don't know me." Peter was so sure of himself that he said, "Even if I have to die with you, I will
never say that I don't know you!" All the other disciples said the same thing.
STORY 314
A Home in Heaven
John 14:1-7
Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many
rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a
place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be
together. You know the way to where I am going." Thomas said, "Lord, we don't even know where you
are going! How can we know the way?" "I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered.
"Without me, no one can go to the Father. If you had known me, you would have known the Father. But
from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him."
STORY 315
Jesus Prays
for His Followers
John 17:1-18:1
After Jesus had finished speaking to his disciples, he looked up toward heaven and prayed, "Father, the
time has come for you to bring glory to your Son, in order that he may bring glory to you. And you gave
him power over all people so that he would give eternal life to everyone you give him. Eternal life is to
know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. You have given me some
followers from this world, and I have shown them what you are like. They were yours, but you gave
them to me, and they have obeyed you. They know that I came from you, and they believe that you are
the one who sent me. Holy Father, I am coming to you. But my followers are still in the world. So keep
them safe by the power of the name that you have given me. I also pray for those who will have faith
because of what my followers say about me that they will be one with each other, just as you and I are
one. Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours." When Jesus had finished
praying, he and his disciples crossed the Kidron Valley and went into a garden.
STORY 316
The Disciples Fall Asleep
Mark 14:33-42
Jesus took along Peter, James, and John. Jesus was troubled and told them, "I am so sad that I feel as if I
am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me." Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt down on the
ground and prayed, "Father, if it is possible, don't let this happen to me. Don't make me suffer by having
me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want." When Jesus came back, he found
the disciples sleeping. He said to Simon Peter, "Are you asleep? Can't you stay awake for just one hour?
Stay awake and pray that you won't be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak." Jesus
went back and prayed the same prayer. But when he returned to the disciples, he found them sleeping
again. When Jesus returned to the disciples the third time, he said, "The time has come for the Son of
Man to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let's go. The one who will betray me is already here."
STORY 317
Betrayed with a Kiss
John 18:2-8; Matthew 26:48-49
Jesus often met in the garden with his disciples. Judas had promised to betray Jesus. So he went to the
garden with some Roman soldiers and temple police, who had been sent by the chief priests and the
Pharisees. They carried torches, lanterns, and weapons. Judas had told the soldiers ahead of time,
"Arrest the man I greet with a kiss." Jesus already knew everything that was going to happen. He asked,
"Who are you looking for?" Was. They answered, "We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth!" Jesus told
them, "I am Jesus!" At once they all backed away and fell to the ground. Jesus again asked, "Who are
you looking for?" "We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth," they answered. This time Jesus replied, "I
have already told you that I am Jesus. If I am the one you are looking for, let these others go." Judas
walked right up to Jesus and said, "Hello, teacher." Then Judas kissed him.
STORY 318
Jesus is Taken Away
John 18:10-11; Luke 22:51-54
Simon Peter had brought along a sword. He pulled it out and struck at the servant of the high priest. The
servant's name was Malchus. Peter cut off his right ear. Jesus told Peter, "Put your sword away. I must
drink from the cup that the Father has given me." Then he touched the servant's ear and healed it. Jesus
spoke to the chief priests, the temple police, and the leaders who had come to arrest him. He said, "Why
do you come out with swords and clubs and treat me like a criminal? I was with you every day in the
temple, and you didn't arrest me. But this is your time, and darkness is in control." Jesus was arrested
and led away to the house of the high priest, while Peter followed at a distance.
STORY 319
Peter's Denial
John 18:12-14, Luke 22:54-62
The Roman officer and his men, together with the temple police, arrested Jesus and tied him up. Then
Jesus was led away to the house of the high priest while Peter followed at a distance. Some people had
built a fire in the middle of the courtyard and were sitting around it. Peter sat there with them. A servant
girl saw Peter. After she had looked at him carefully, she said, "This man was with Jesus!" Peter said, "I
don't even know that man!" A little later someone else saw Peter and said, "You are one of them!" "No,
I'm not!" Peter replied. About an hour later another man insisted, "This man must have been with Jesus.
They both come from Galilee." Peter replied, "I don't know what you are talking about!" Right then a
rooster crowed. Peter remembered that the Lord had said, "Before a rooster crows tomorrow morning,
you will say three times that you don't know me." Peter went out and cried.
STORY 320
Jesus is Questioned
Mark 14/53-55, 15:1
The chief priests, the nation's leaders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses all met together. They tried
to find someone to accuse Jesus of a crime, so they could put him to death. Finally, some men stood up
and lied about him. They said, "We heard him say he would tear down this temple that we built. He also
claimed that in three days he would build another one without any help." Jesus kept quiet and did not
say a word. The high priest asked him another question, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the glorious
God?" "Yes, I am!" Jesus answered, "Soon you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of God All-
Powerful and coming with the clouds of heaven. At once the high priest ripped his robe apart and
shouted, "Why do we need more witnesses? You heard him claim to be God! What is your decision?"
They all agreed that he should be put to death. Some of the people started spitting on Jesus. They
blindfolded him. They hit him with their fists. Then the guards took Jesus and beat him. They tied Jesus
up and led him off to Pilate.
STORY 321
Jesus is sent to Herod
Luke 23:7-12
Pilate learned that Jesus came from the region ruled by Herod. So, he sent Jesus to Herod in
Jerusalem. Herod had wanted to see Jesus and was very happy because he finally had this chance. He
had heard many things about Jesus and hoped to see him work a miracle. Herod asked him a lot of
questions, but Jesus did not answer. Then the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses
stood up and accused him of all kinds of bad things. Herod and his soldiers made fun of Jesus and
insulted him. They put a fine robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate
became friends even though they had been enemies before this.
STORY 322
Pilate Tries to Free Jesus
John 18.25-40
It was early in the morning when Jesus was taken to the building where the Roman governor stayed. The
crowd waited outside. Pilate came out and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"
They answered, "He is a criminal! That's why we brought him to you." Pilate told them, "Take him and
judge him by your own laws." The crowd replied, "We are not allowed to put anyone to death." Pilate
then went back inside. He called Jesus over and asked, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered,
"Are you asking this on your own or did someone tell you about me?" "You know I'm not a Jew!" Pilate
said "Your own people and the chief priests brought you to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered,
"My kingdom doesn't belong to this world." "So, you are a king," Pilate replied. "You are saying that I am
a king." Jesus told him, "I was born into this. world to tell about the truth. And everyone who belongs to
the truth knows my voice." Pilate went back out and said, "I don't find this man guilty of anything! And
since I usually set a prisoner free for you at Passover, would you like for me to set free the king of the
Jews?" They shouted, "No, not him! We want Barabbas. "Barabbas was a terrorist.
STORY 323
Jesus is
Sentenced to Death Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. "Nail him to a
cross! Nail him to a cross!" the crowd cried. Pilate told them, "You take him, and Pilate gave orders for
Jesus to be beaten with a whip. The soldiers made a crown out of thorn branches and put it on Jesus.
Then they put à purple robe the Son of God! nail him to a cross! I don’t find him guilty of anything." The
crowd replied, "He claimed to be on him. Once again Pilate went out to the crowd. He said, I will have
Jesus When Pilate heard this he was terrified. He went back inside and brought out to you again. Then
you can see for yourselves that I have not found him guilty. asked Jesus, "Where are you from? Jesus did
not answer. "Why won’t you answer my question? Pilate asked. "Don’t you know that I have the power
to let you go free or to nail you to a cross? Jesus replied, "If God had not given you the power, you
couldn’t do anything at all to me. But the one who handed me over to you did something even worse.
Pilate wanted to set Jesus free. But the crowd again yelled, "If you set this man free, you are no friend of
the Emperor! Anyone who claims to become a king is an enemy of the Emperor. Kill him! Kill him!" "So,
you want me to nail your king to a cross? Pilate asked. The chief priests replied, "The Emperor is our
king! Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be nailed to a cross.
STORY 324
The Weeping Women
Luke 23:26-31
As Jesus was being led away, some soldier's grabbed hold of a man from Cyrene named Simon. He
was coming in from the fields, but they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A
large crowd was following Jesus. A lot of women were crying and weeping for him. Jesus turned to the
women and said, "Women of Jerusalem, don't cry for me! Cry for yourselves and for your children.
Someday people will say, 'Women who never had children are really fortunate!' At that time everyone
will say to the mountains, Fall on us!' They will say to the hills, 'Hide us!' If this can happen when the
wood is green, what do you think will happen when it is dry?"
STORY 325
Jesus is Nailed to a Cross
Luke 23:32-38
Two criminals were led out to be put to death with Jesus. The soldiers came to the place called "The
Skull." There they nailed Jesus to a cross. They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each
side of Jesus. Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people! They don't know what they’re doing." While
the crowd stood there watching Jesus, the soldiers gambled for his clothes. The leaders insulted him
by saying, "He saved others. Now he should save himself, if he really is God's chosen Messiah!" The
soldiers made fun of Jesus. They said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!" Above him was
a sign that said: This Is the King of the Jews
STORY 326
Jesus Dies
Matthew 27:32-
One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, "Aren't you the Messiah? Save
yourself and save us!" But the other criminal told the first one, "Don't you fear God? Aren't you
getting the same punishment as this man? We got what was coming to us, but he didn't do anything
wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Remember me when you come into power!" Jesus replied, "I promise
that today you will be with me in paradise."
Around noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until the middle of the afternoon. Jesus knew
that he had now finished his work. In order to make the Scriptures come true, he said, "I am thirsty!"
Someone soaked a sponge in a jar of wine and held it up to Jesus' mouth on the stem of a hyssop
plant. After Jesus drank the wine, he said, "Everything is done!" He bowed his head and died.
STORY 327
The Earth Trembles
Matthew 27:51-56
The moment Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth
shook, and rocks split apart. Graves opened, and many of God's people were raised to life. Then after
Jesus had risen to life, they came out of their graves and went into the holy city, where they were
seen by many people. The officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus felt the earthquake and saw
everything else that happened. They were frightened and said, "This man really was God's Son!"
Many women had come with Jesus from Galilee to be of help to him, and they were there, looking on
at a distance. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of James and
John were some of these women.
Jesus Before Pilate
11
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the
governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
12
When he was accused by the chief priests and the
elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him,
“Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing
against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to
a single charge—to the great amazement of the
governor.
15
Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to
release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time
they had a well-known prisoner whose name was
Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered,
[b]
Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to
release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called
the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest
that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife
sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do
with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great
deal today in a dream because of him.”
20
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the
crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus
executed.
21
“Which of the two do you want me to release to
you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
22
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the
Messiah?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
24
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but
that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and
washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent
of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your
responsibility!”
25
All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on
our children!”
26
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had
Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the
Praetorium and gathered the whole company of
soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a
scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a
crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff
in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and
mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they
said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck
him on the head again and again. 31 After they had
mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own
clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify
him.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
32
As they were going out, they met a man from
Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry
the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha
(which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they
offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after
tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had
crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting
lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him
there. 37 Above his head they placed the written
charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38
Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right
and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled
insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You
who are going to destroy the temple and build it in
three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross,
if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the
chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders
mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he
can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him
come down now from the cross, and we will believe in
him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he
wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the
same way the rebels who were crucified with him also
heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
45
From noon until three in the afternoon
darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the
afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,
lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my
[c]
God, why have you forsaken me?”). [d]
47
When some of those standing there heard this, they
said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He
filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered
it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him
alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice,
he gave up his spirit.
51
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn
in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks
split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many
holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They
came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection
and went into the holy city and appeared to many
[e]
people.
54
When the centurion and those with him who were
guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had
happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely
he was the Son of God!”
55
Many women were there, watching from a distance.
They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his
needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary
the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of
[f]
Zebedee’s sons.
The Burial of Jesus
57
As evening approached, there came a rich man from
Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a
disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’
body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to
him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean
linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that
he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in
front of the entrance to the tomb and went
away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were
sitting there opposite the tomb.
