NOTE OF LESSON FOR WEEK TWO (9)

DATE: 16th Nov. – 20th Nov., 2020

SUBJECT: C R S
CLASS: SS3
TOPIC: The Arrest and Trial of Jesus Christ; Crucifixion, Death and Burial of Jesus; The
Resurrection of Jesus and His Ascension
BEHAVIOURAL OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to know;
1. The three authorities that tried Jesus,
2. The reaction of Jesus to the various accusations,
3. The verdict of each authority and what influenced that verdict,
4. The process of crucifixion,
5. How He was certified dead on the cross,
6. Those present at Jesus’ burial,
7. The synoptic accounts of the resurrection,
8. Describe the activities of women in the resurrection story,
9. The significance of the resurrection to the Christian faith
REFERENCE SITE: https://itsmyschoollibrary.com/2020/08/15/the-trial-death-and-
resurrection-of-jesus-christ-christian-religious-studies-lesson-note/
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The students are familiar with the topic taught in the last class.
INTRODUCTION: The teacher revises the previously taught topic and introduces the new
lesson.
PRESENTATION: The teacher presents his lesson as thus;
Step I: The teacher explains the trial, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

The Trial of Jesus (Matthew 26:57 – 68)

There were basically two separate trials of Jesus Christ – the Jewish trial and the Roman trial.
After Judas had betrayed Jesus Christ, he was arrested and taken to Caiaphas, the high priest
where the members of Sanhedrin – the highest Jewish council gathered. There, Jesus was tried
and found guilty of blasphemy for claiming to be the son of God. The punishment for this
offence by the Jewish is the death penalty, but being a colony with the Roman Empire, they did
not have the power to pass the death sentence. For this reason, they had to take Jesus to the
Roman representative, Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem where he was tried the second time and found
guilty, although he was innocent. This was to fulfill the scripture, for it has been destined that he
would die for the forgiveness of the sins committed by man.

Christ Before the High Priest

Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane where he told his disciples to wait for
him while he went up to pray. He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee. He began to be
sorrowful and troubled. He told them that his soul was sorrowful even to death and that they
should remain and watch with him. Going a little further, Jesus prayed, “My father if it is
possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will but as thou will”. He came back to
the disciples and found them sleeping; and he asked Peter: “So could you not watch with me for
one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but
the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40 – 41)
For the second time he prayed, repeating the same words. Again, he came back and discovered
that the disciples’ eyes were heavy with sleep. He left them and went away to pray again with the
same words for the third time. After this, he came back to the disciples and said to them:
“Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold the hour is at hand and the son of man is
betrayed into the hands of the sinners. Rise; let us be going; see my betrayer is at hand.”
(Matthew 26:44 – 46)
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of his disciples came with a great crowd with swords and
clubs from the chief priest and the elders of the people. The betrayer (Judas) had given them a
sign saying, “The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him.” Judas came up to Jesus and said, “Hail
master”. Immediately, they came up, laid hand on him and seized him. One of the disciples of
Jesus stretched out his hands, drew his sword and cut of the ear of the slave of the priest. Jesus
was against this and he said: “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will
perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my father; and he will once send more
than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?.
And turning to the crowd Jesus said: “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and
clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching and you did not seize me. But all
this has taken place that the scripture of the prophets might be fulfilled.” It was at this juncture
that the disciples fled.
Those who seized him led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had
gathered. Peter followed him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest. He went
inside and sat with the guards to see the end. The chief priest and the whole council (the
Sanhedrin) sought false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found
none. At last, two people came forward and said, “This fellow said I am able to destroy the
temple of God and build it in three days.”
The high priest stood up and asked Jesus to give an answer to the testimony against, but Jesus
kept quiet. The high priest persuaded him to make a reply, but Jesus answered him: “You have
said so but I tell you here after you will see the son of man seated at the right hand of power and
coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64) The high priest tore his robes and said: “He
has uttered blasphemy; why shall we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy.
What is your judgement?”
The people answered, “He deserves death.” They spat on his face and stuck him; some slapped
him saying, “Prophesy to us you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” Peter was sitting outside the
courtyard and a maid came and asked him, “were you not with Jesus the Galilean.” He denied
this before them saying, “I do not know what you mean”. When he came out to porch, another
maid saw him and said to the bystander, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Peter denied
this again, this time with an oath. After a little while, the bystanders came up and said to Peter,
“certainly you are also one of them for your accent betrays you.” Peter began to invoke a curse
on himself and swear, “I do not know the man”. Immediately the cock crowed, and Peter
remembered that Jesus had said that before the cock crowed, he, Peter, would deny him three
times. He went out and wept bitterly.

Christ Before the Pilate and the Roman Authorities (Matthew 27:11 – 31)
After the trial by the Sanhedrin, Jesus was bound and arranged before Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus
whether he was the king of the Jews according to the allegation brought against him by the chief
priest, scribes and the Pharisees. Jesus replied that Pilate had said so. Pilate asked Jesus to defend
himself. In view of numerous allegations levelled against him, but Jesus made no reply, and this
made Pilate wonder greatly.
At the feast of the Passover celebrations, it was custom of the governor to release a prisoner
whom the people wanted. The notorious criminal called Barabbas. When the people gathered;
Pilate asked them to take the decision on the person they wanted him to release to them –
Barabbas or Jesus who is also called Christ. Pilate knew it was out of envy that they had
delivered him up. Moreover, his wife had sent a message to him, saying, “Have nothing to do
with that righteous man for I have suffered much over him today in a dream.” The governor
repeated his question. The chief priests and the elders persuaded the people to opt for Barabbas
and they did instead of Jesus. Pilate asked them what they wanted to do with Jesus, and they
shouted, “Let him be crucified”. Pilate asked them if Jesus committed any offence, but they
shouted all the more that he should be crucified.
He took water and washed his hand publicly and said, “I am innocent in this man’s blood; see it
to yourselves”. All the people answered, “His blood should be on us and our children”. Then he
released them Barabbas and they scourged Jesus. The soldiers of the governors took Jesus into
the auditorium and they gathered the whole battalion before him. They stripped him and put a
scarlet robe upon him and planted a crown of thorns upon his head. They also put reed in his
right hand and kneeling before him, they mocked him saying, “Hail the king of the Jews.” They
spat on him and took the reed and strucked him on the head. After they had finished mocking
him, they stripped him off the robe and put his clothes on him and led him away to be crucified.

Ways in Which People are Denied Justice in The Society

It can be seen from the trial of Jesus, he was denied justice due to envy by the council of
Sanhedrin made of the scribes, the chief priest and the elders. In the same way, people are denied
justice today through the following:
1. Hiring of false witness
2. Adjournment: delay of trial and judgement
3. Bribery: some judges demand and take bribes
4. Falsification of evidence
5. Failure to deliver judgement as at when due
6. Rigging of elections
7. Nepotism and tribalism
 Christ Before Herod (Luke 23:6 – 12)
The trial of Jesus before Herod was only recorded in the gospel according to Luke. When Pilate
learnt that Jesus was a Galilean which was within Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to
Herod who was himself in Jerusalem. When Herod saw Jesus, he was glad, for he longed desired
to see him. He heard about Jesus and he was anxious to see some signs performed by him.
Herod questioned Jesus at length, but Jesus did not reply him, not minding that the chief priest
and the Pharisees were accusing vehemently. However, Herod and his soldiers treated Christ
with contempt and mockery. They dressed him in gorgeous apparels and sent him back to Pilate.
The trial of Christ gave Herod and Pilate an opportunity to reconcile for they were enemies
before that period.

Significance of the Trial of Christ

1. Despite the series of false allegations levelled against Jesus and the fact that he was not
found guilty, he was crucified because it was the will of God that it should be so.
2. The messiahship of Jesus Christ could only be accomplished through his death and by
this the scripture was fulfilled.
3. Jesus went through embarrassment and torture for the salvation of our souls. He endured
all, despite the fact that he didn’t live a sinful life. This is, therefore, a lesson to the
Christians that the road to salvation is not easy but the glory comes at the end.
4. Although, it had been destined that Jesus would die, because Judas was living in son, he
was used to accomplish the obnoxious task. Christians should, therefore, be steadfast.
5. The priest and Pharisees releasing Barabbas, the notorious robber to killing Jesus, based
on envy and hatred. This can be noticed in the present age where authorities punish
innocent people and pardon criminals.

THE CRUCIFIXION, DEATH AND BURIAL OF JESUS CHRIST

The Crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27:32 – 56)
After Jesus had been condemned to death, he was led away by soldiers to the place of
crucifixion. Due to physical exhaustion, Jesus was unable to carry his cross. A man of Current,
Simon whom they met on the way was appealed to carry the cross for Jesus to the place of his
crucifixion called Golgotha which means the place of skull. There they offered him wine filled
with gall which he tasted but refused to drink. At that place they crucified him along with two
robbers, one on his right and the other on the left. They shared his garment among themselves by
drawing lots. Over his head, they put a charge against him: “This is Jesus the king of the Jews.”
Nailed on the cross the passerby, the Pharisees, the scribes and the chief priests mocked him,
each according to his own perspective.
And about the sixth hour, there was darkness over the land until the ninth hour. About the ninth
hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli lama sabachthani” which means “My God My God
why has thou forsaken me”. Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. The
curtains of the temple was torn into two from top to bottom; the earth shook and rocks were split;
the tombs were opened and the body of the saints who have fallen asleep raised.
When those who were keeping watch over Jesus saw what happened were filled with awe and
said, “truly this was the son of God”. Then so many women who were looking at the whole thing
from afar were those who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to him, including Mary
Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and John and Mother of the sons of Zebedee.

The Burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57 – 61)

In the evening of the day of crucifixion, a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea who was also a disciple
of Jesus went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate ordered it to be given to him.
Joseph took the body wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his own new tomb. He rolled over
the stone at the entrance of the tomb and departed. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were
there, sitting opposite the sepulcher.

Significance of Joseph’s Action in The Burial of Jesus

1. He was a true friend (a friend in need)
2. He made up for the friendship denied Jesus by his enemies.
3. It would be sad to allow Jesus to be left hanging on the cross on the Sabbath day as if he
were a common criminal.
4. It would be worse still if it was left till the Passover night which the paschal lamb was
being slain.
5. He could not allow Jesus’ body to be buried in a common burial ground meant for
criminals.
 6. As a mark of his faith in Jesus, he had to honour him by burying him in a new grave.

The Words of Jesus Christ on The Cross (Mathew 27:46, Mark 15:34, Luke 23:34,43,46)
Jesus made seven statements on the cross, only four are found in the synoptic gospel while the
other three are in the gospel of John. For the purpose of this study, we will lay emphasis only on
four.
1. “Eli, Eli Lama Sabachthani” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) This expression means “My
God My God why has thou forsaken me? This statement of Jesus is the opening verse of
Psalm 22. It may be that Jesus was receiving this psalm. The Psalm describes the agony
and the desperation of a righteous man. It starts with despair but ends with the note of
confidence and trust in God.
2. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) By this statement,
Jesus was praying for forgiveness for his enemies – those that betrayed him and those
that mocked him and crucified him on the cross. Thus, by this, Jesus demonstrated the
example of what he taught in “Our Lord’s prayer”.
3. “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Like 23:43) By this
statement, Jesus offered salvation to the repentant robber. This further shows Jesus
determination to offer salvation to repentant sinners even on the cross.
4. “Father, into the hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46) Jesus made this statement when
he was about to yield up his spirit committed his spirit into the hands of the father who
sent him. The returned to him during the time of resurrection.

Significance of Christ’s Death and the Lessons to Learn

Jesus died on the cross to save us. The blood he shed on the cross for the atonement of our sins.
He died that we might live; he was mocked that we might be glorified. All that Christ went
through on the cross of Calvary was for the benefit of mankind whom he came to save which the
summary of the message was given by prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 53:5) “But he was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, upon him was the chastisement that made us
whole and with his stripes we are healed”. The messiahship of Jesus Christ was accomplished on
the cross of Calvary. It is important to note that after the death of Jesus, he was glorified by his
father, but during his earthly ministry, he was not glorified. This is expressed in Philippians 2:8 –
11: “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even
death on the cross. Therefore, God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is
above every name that at the name of Jesus Christ every knee should bow in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and the glory of God the
Father”.
The important point to note in this case is that salvation of Christians is based on strong belief in
the sacrifice Jesus made for them. They should try as much as possible to live a live worthy of
the gospel of Christ. It is only in this regard that his salvation is assured. Jesus Christ is presented
as being submissive. He allowed the persecutors to have their way so that the scripture would be
fulfilled.

The Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1 – 8; Mark 16:1 – 6; Luke 24:1 – 11)
Resurrection means coming back to life after death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead was to show his victory over death. The account of the resurrection appears in all the three
synoptic gospels. They all stated that when the women disciples – Mary Magdalene, Mary,
mother of James and Salome went to the tomb to embalm the body of Jesus, they discovered that
he has resurrected. Matthew reported that there was a great earthquake; and the angel of the Lord
descended from heaven and rolled back the stone and sat upon it. It was the angel that informed
the women that Jesus had raised from the dead.
However, Luke and Mark did not report an earthquake. Mark reported that as the women were
contemplating who would help them roll away the stone at the entrance of the tomb. They
discovered that the stone was no more there. On entering the tomb, they were amazed. He said to
them: “Do not be amazed; you seek the Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen, he is
not here; see the place where they laid him”. (Mark 16:6) The angel then directed them to go
inform the disciples to prepare themselves and meet him in Galilee. Mark added that the women
left the tomb trembling and astonished and they could not say anything to anybody. Luke’s
account was similar to that of Mark except that he added that as the women were perplexed over
what happened to the body of Jesus, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. It was these
men that informed them of the resurrection of Jesus. When the women told the news to the
disciples, they did not believe them.
 The Significance of the Resurrection
1. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis of Christian faith. Without his resurrection,
there would be no more Christian faith.
2. God raised Jesus from the death thereby confirming him as His son.
3. Resurrection equally forms the basis of Christian hope of salvation.
4. It is an assurance that as God raised Jesus from the dead, so will God raise every
Christian’s hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God which is in Christ Jesus.
5. Again, the resurrection of Jesus is the hope that the Lord we are serving is alive and this
is Christian’s hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God which is in Christ Jesus.
6. It was the resurrection of Jesus from death that helped to encourage the early apostles to
preach the gospel with boldness. The fulfillment of all that Jesus had promised gave the
disciples and early apostles much confidence and trust in him.
7. The resurrection of Jesus is central to Christian belief. To Christians the resurrection is an
assurance of Christ’s victory over sin and death.
8. Christ’s resurrection day became for Christians, the day of the Lord, the day of salvation.
Hence, the shift away from the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) to the Christians first day of
the week, Sunday – a day of devotion to God; the most memorable day.
9. At baptism, Christians die in sin (symbolized by dipping into water) but with Christ’s
resurrection. Christians rise in faith with Christ (symbolized when they are raised from
the water).

Appearance of Jesus (Matthew 28:9 – 20; Luke 24:13 – 49)

After the resurrection, Jesus made several appearances to his disciples. Matthew recorded that
Jesus appeared to the women disciples. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James while
they were on their way to Galilee to inform other disciples about his resurrection. Jesus asked
them to inform the disciples to meet him in Galilee.
Matthew further recorded that the chief priests and the scribes bribed the guards to falsify the
resurrection story to make people believe it was the disciples that came and stole him at night.
He concluded by stating that Jesus asked his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, charging them to
do all that he had commanded them and that he would be with them till the close of age.
Luke recorded that Jesus appeared to the disciples. Cleopas and his friends on their way to
Emmaus; while the disciples were still discussing about his appearance, Jesus stood among them.
They were afraid and they felt it was a spirit. Jesus said to them: “Why are you troubled and why
do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and
see me; for a spirit has no flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (Luke 24:38 – 39)
While they were still expressing their surprise of joy, he said to them, “Have you anything here
to eat? They gave him a piece of boiled fish and he ate before them. Luke concluded by stating
that he charged the disciples to preach repentance and forgiveness in the name of Jesus to all
nations, beginning from Jerusalem. However, the disciples should first of all wait for power (the
Holy Spirit) from above.

The Significance of the Appearance of Jesus Christ

1. The physical appearance of Jesus Christ helped in strengthening the confidence of the
disciples.
2. It was during the appearance of Jesus that he told the disciples what their responsibilities
after his departure would be.
3. It was at that period that he promised them power from high (Holy Spirit). This promise
was fulfilled on the Pentecost day. When this power came, He gave the disciples the
boldness to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations of the world.
EVALUATION: The teacher evaluates the students through the following questions;
1. Narrate the trials of Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION & SUMMARY: The teacher summarizes and concludes his lesson.
HOMEWORK: What are the significances of Jesus’ trial, death, and resurrection?
HOD’s REMARK: