CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES SS3 1ST TERM

TOPICS

1. The baptism of Jesus

2. The temptation of Jesus
3. Discipleship
4. The mission of the disciple
5. The trial of Jesus
6. The crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus
7. The resurrection of Jesus.

THE BAPTISM
Baptism can be defined as a practice of the Christian church which includes dipping a
devotee completely into water which is immersion or the pouring of water by the
priest, on the face of the person who is being baptized. The meaning of this is that
one’s sins are being washed away and the person has now become a member of the
church of Jesus Christ.

The Baptism of Jesus

The story of Jesus ‘baptism is reported by all three synoptic gospel writers which can
be found in (Mathew 3:13-17), (mark 1:9-11) and (luke3:21-22).

The general outline of the story is quite the same but there are some differences
between them. Only Mathew says that the baptism was not willing to baptize Jesus,
saying that Jesus should rather, baptize him. According to Luke, Jesus was praying
after His baptism, before the Holy Spirit came on Him

Mathew’s account of Jesus’ Baptism: When Jesus was about thirty years of age; He
came form Nazareth to Galilee in order to be baptized by John inside the Jordan.
John wanted to prevent Jesus when he said: ‘’I need to be baptized by you and do
you come to me’’. But Jesus answered that john should baptize Him in order to fulfill
all righteousness. John therefore baptized Him, and immediately He came out of the
water, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove
alighting on Him. Then a voice came from heaven saying: ‘’this is my beloved son, in
whom I am well pleased’’
The significance of the Baptism of Jesus

1. Jesus did not have any sin but He underwent baptism in order to fulfill all
righteousness.
2. Jesus allowed Himself to be baptized so that He could set a good example for
others to follow.
3. Baptism is important because it qualifies one for righteousness and for
membership of the church of Jesus Christ.
4. Baptism is one of the sacraments of the church commanded to be practiced
by Jesus Christ.

THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS

To tempt someone is to persuade that person to do something which is wrong. It
may be persuade someone to go against the wishes of his or her parents or that of
the school. No one is above being tempted, infact, we are all being tempted
everyday to do what is wrong. Temptation is that we should always expect. To be
tempted is not bad in itself, what is bad is to yield to that temptation and as a result
we break the good relationship that exists between God and us. When Jesus was on
Earth, He was tamped all through, but He refused to yield to such temptation. He
was helped by the Holy Spirit in His life. Therefore, anyone who has the knowledge
of God’s word and the presence of the Holy Spirit will always overcome the
temptation to sin.

SYNOPTIC ACCOUNTS OF THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS

The story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness is recorded in all the three synoptic
Gospel. They can be found in Mathew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13.
According to Mathew, after Jesus’ baptism, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights and
He became hungry afterwards. Then Satan, the tempter got an opportunity to tempt
Him; he said, “if you are the son of God, command these stones to become bread”.
Jesus replied him by quoting the scriptures, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but
by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”.

In the second temptation, Jesus was taken by the devil to the holy city of Jerusalem,
and set on the pinnacle of the temple, then the devil asked Him to throw Himself
down if He knew indeed that He was the son of God. The devil quoted the scriptures
to assure Jesus of safety by saying: “He will give His angels charge of you; and on
their hands, they will bear you up lest you strike your foot against a stone”. Jesus
replied him also by quoting scriptures that: you shall not tempt the Lord your God”.
In the third temptation, the devil took Jesus to a high mountain and showed him all
the kingdoms of this world and their glory and promised to give them to Jesus, only if
He would fall down and worship him. Jesus also quoted the scripture to overcome
this, saying: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve”.

After this last temptation, the devil left Him immediately and the Angels came and
ministered to Jesus. According to Mark, after Jesus’ baptism, He was taken by the
Holy Spirit into the wilderness for forty days and was tempted by Satan. Mark
reported that during the period, Jesus lived with wild beasts.

According to Luke, Jesus returned from Jordan and was led by the Holy Spirit into the
wilderness for forty days and was tempted by the devil. Both Mathew and Luke
presented a similar account of the story of the temptation of Jesus. The only
differences from Luke’s are: being taking to the high mountain which was recorded
as the third temptation in Matthew, is second in Luke; then, being taken to the
pinnacle of the temple, which is recorded as the second temptation in Matthew, is
third in Luke. Luke added the after the temptation, the devil departed from Jesus
until an opportune time which means the devil could still return.

The Significance of the Temptation of Jesus

1. The first temptation was meant to portray Jesus as an economic Messiah

which only caters for the physical needs of the people and ignoring their
spiritual needs.
2. The second temptation was meant to present Jesus as a miracle-working
Messiah who would manifest supernatural powers like jumping from the
great height of the temple. To have done this would have caused Jesus to be
misunderstood by the people. Jesus would have been in people’s
imagination not in their conscience.
3. The third temptation was meant to make Jesus appear as a political Messiah
who could lead the Jews to war against the Romans to regain their political
independence.
4. For Jesus to have been tempted means no one is above temptation.

CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
A disciple can be referred to as somebody who is following, learning or attaching
himself to a particular teacher or master. He is with his master in order to learn and
propagate his teachings to the world, especially after the death of his master or
teacher. Every great teacher of the past who is well known, such as Socrates, Plato,
Aristotle, Confucius, Buddha, e.t.c, had disciples. Jesus, as a great teacher, also had
disciples just like other great teachers.

Before a disciple could take over from his master, he has to undergo certain training
called Discipleship. For someone to be successful in this training, he must be self
sacrificial, totally committed, dedicated and loyal to the master or teacher in all
things. Jesus taught His disciples concerning the demands of discipleship.

A disciple after training is expected to be a good ambassador to the master. This is

the wish of Jesus to all Christians.

Call to Discipleship

The writers of the synoptic gospels are in agreement that peter and Andrew, his
brother, and two other brothers in the person of James and John, the sons of
Zebedee, were the first four disciples called by Jesus. The books of Mathew 4:18-25
and Mark 1:15-20 have the same order for the call of the disciples, but Luke 5:1-11
has a different order. Levi was the fifth to be called.

Levi, also called Mathew, was a tax collector, (Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17) and
Luke 5:27-32. After Jesus had called these five disciples, many people began to
follow Him about. Out of these people, Jesus chose only seven more people to add
to the original five to make twelve disciples. These twelve disciples were established
by Jesus as the foundation members of His church.

According to Mathew’s account, as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He met
Peter and Andrew, who were brothers, casting their nets into the sea, for they were
fishermen, when Jesus saw them, He moved closer to them and said to them:

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. They obeyed and followed Jesus
immediately as they moved on a little further, Jesus saw two other brothers, James
and John with their father, Zebedee, inside their fishing boat, mending their nets, for
they were also fishermen.

Jesus also called them. They immediately left their father, and followed Jesus.

After Jesus had healed a paralytic man, Jesus saw a man called Matthew, sitting at
the tax office, for he was a tax collector by occupation. Jesus then said to him:
“Follow me” and Mathew rose up and followed Him immediately. They later arrived
in Mathew’s house where he held a feast of Jesus, the disciples, tax collectors and
sinners.

The Pharisees were surprised when they saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and
sinners; they said to the disciples, “Why does your master eat with tax-collector and
sinners? “When Jesus heard it, He said to them:

“Those who are well have no need of Physician but those who are sick. Go and learn
what this means I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I came out not to call the
righteous but the sinners.”

According to Luke’s account, Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret

addressing many people listening to the word of God. Then he saw two vacant boats
by the lake, the fishermen had gone out of them to check their nets. Jesus entered
into the boat that belonged to Simon (Peter) and asked him to put out a little from
the land. When he had done this, Jesus sat down and taught the people who had
gathered there to listen to the word of God from inside the boat. At the end of His
sermon, Jesus asked Simon to put out into the deep and let down his nets for a
catch.

But Simon answered Him in reply that they had fished all through the night and did
not catch any fish, but in obedience to Jesus’ word, he would let down the nets.
When he did, they caught many big fishes and as their nets were breaking as a result
of the weights of the catch, they called to their partners who were in another boat to
come and help them. The two boats were filled with fish they caught and they
started sinking.

When Simon (Peter) saw what had happened, he fell down at the knee of Jesus and
said: “depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord”. Peter said this because he was
greatly surprised at the miracle he had seen. All other people who were with him
were equally surprised. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were equally there.
Jesus then said to Simon (Peter): “Do not be afraid, henceforth you will be catching
men”. When they, Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John had brought their nets to
the land, they left everything and followed Jesus.

The Significance of the Call of the Disciples

1. Jesus called the disciples to keep Him company to fellowship with Him and to
learn from Him about how to go about their assignment because without
this, they cannot be well-discipled. We also should follow Jesus.
 2. The call of the disciples shows us as an example of how the Christina should
respond to God’s call to serve Him. Peter, Andrew, James, John and Levi
(Mathew), responded quickly to their call to discipleship. We should also do
likewise to respond fast when we are called to serve God in various capacities
in the Church.
3. Christians must quickly respond to God’s call to serve the nation whenever
their services are required in any capacity.

The Demands of Discipleship

The gospel of Mathew (8:18-22) and that of Luke (9:57-62) are the only two gospels
that give the account of would-be disciples whom Jesus encountered. They were
three in number. On each occasion, Jesus made demands. These demands point to
what is required of true discipleship. In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus spoke clearly on the
demands of discipleship. A scribe came to Jesus and requested to be allowed to
follow Him about. But Jesus replied him by saying: “Foxes have holes, and the birds
of the air have nests, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head”.

From Jesus’ reply, we can deduce that those who want to follow Him should not
expect a comfortable life. In discipleship, self denial is involved. Jesus might have
known that this man was expecting a life of pleasure without realizing the dangers,
risks and personal sacrifice attached to discipleship.

Jesus told the second would-be disciple to follow Him but the man asked Jesus to
allow him first to go home and bury his father. Jesus then said to him:

“leave the dead to bury their dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of
God.

We can see from Jesus’ reply that those who do not receive the Gospel are dead
spiritually. It also means that discipleship demands that a disciple must consider
God first in all things.

This man was willing to follow Jesus and become His disciple but he wanted to first
and say by-by to those at home. Jesus told him: “No one who puts his hand to the
plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God”.

Jesus is saying that following Him demands total commitment. He continued His
teaching on the demands of discipleship in Luke 14:25-33. Jesus, speaking to a large
crowd, said: “if any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother
and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes and even his own life, he cannot
be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, he cannot
be my disciple”.

Here, Jesus is saying that discipleship demands personal sacrifice. The interest of the
family and that of self must be secondary to God whatever the case may be. God
must be treated first, followed by the interest of the family before self interest.

Discipleship demands that one should carry his cross and keep on following Jesus. In
the period of Jesus, those who carried a cross were those accused of a crime and
were sentenced to death. They carried their cross by themselves to the place of
execution. It required suffering, persecution, shame, disgrace and even death.
When we are carrying our cross as disciples, we should expect these.

Jesus said in the parable of the tower builder, that anyone who wanted to build a
tower should sit down first and count the cost involved in the project. He should
find out whether he had enough materials to complete the project. If he could not
complete the project after the foundation has been laid, people would mock him.

Jesus also said which king going to was against another who would not consider first
whether he could with ten thousand troops face an enemy of twenty thousand. If
otherwise, while the enemy is on the way for attack, he would send an ambassador
to make peace. In conclusion Jesus said: “Therefore, whoever of you who does not
renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple”. We should therefore examine
ourselves to see whether we have spiritual and moral qualities to be disciples of
Jesus. This is what Jesus expects from us.

The Significance of Jesus Teaching on the

Demands of Discipleship

1. The demands for discipleship, according to the teaching of Jesus, require

personal sacrifice which includes both spiritual and physical commitment.
Christians are expected to make personal sacrifices for the gospel‘s sake.
2. As the disciples of Jesus Christ, Christians can make sacrifice in various ways
by giving financial assistance toward the growth of the work of God and
through evangelism to reach the lost.
3. We can also sacrifice our time by regularly making ourselves available in
fellowship and participating in any organization where we can function
effectively. We have such organizations around us, as for example, the
Student Christian Movement, Scripture Union, Red Cross Society, etc.

MISSION OF THE DISCIPLES

The Mission of the Twelve

To go on a mission simply means a task or job that someone is given to do. It is also
a body of persons sent to conduct negotiations or establish relations with a foreign
country.

Christians Mission is an organized effort for the propagation of the Christian faith.
Mission often involves sending individuals and groups, called ‘missionaries’, to
foreign countries and to places in their homeland for the purpose of proselytism
(conversion to Christianity, or from one Christian tradition to another). This involves
evangelism (preaching a set of beliefs for the purpose of conversion), and
humanitarian work, especially among the poor and disadvantaged.

There are a few different kinds of mission trips. Short-term, long-term, relational
and ones meant simply for helping people in need. Some might choose to dedicate
their whole lives to missions as well. Missionaries have the authority to preach the
Christian faith, and provide humanitarian work.

Disciples are sent out on a mission by their teacher after a period of training. Jesus
also taught his disciples and sent them out on a mission to teach them the practical
aspect of their training. The mission of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ was
written in all the three synoptic Gospels. The book of Luke recorded the mission of
the seventy disciples.

The Mission of the Twelve

(Matthew 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-16)

The three synoptic gospels recorded the Mission of the twelve disciples. The general
outline of the story as written by all the three synoptic writers are the sam, but there
are minor differences in their details. Mark and Luke gave more details. Mathew
restricts the mission of the twelve to the Jews, but Mark and Luke did not restrict it
to the Jews. Mark and Luke did not mention Sodom and Gomorrah but Matthew
did. Unlike Mark and Luke, Matthew listed the disciples in connection with their
mission. Matthew gave the full list of the things the disciples should not take along
with them while Mark permitted a staff and sandals. Matthew alone said that if the
house the disciples saluted was unworthy, their salutation of peace should return to
them.
Mark and Luke finally said that the disciples went out on the mission and preached
the Gospel and healed the sick. Mark said the disciples were sent out two by two
which Matthew and Luke did not record.

According to Matthew’s account, Jesus called his twelve disciples to Him and gave
them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sicknesses. He
sent them out with the instructions not to go among the Gentiles, or enter any town
of the Samaritans, but to go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As they go, they
should preach the message saying “The Kingdom of heaven is near.”

They should heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those that had leprosy, drive out
demons. They received without pay and also gave without pay. They should take no
gold, nor silver, nor copper in their belts, nor bag for the journey, nor extra tunic, nor
sandals, nor a staff. Jesus said the worker is worth his keep.

Whatever town or village they entered, they should search for some worthy person
there and stay at his house until they leave. As they enter the house, they should
first salute the house with peace. If the house is deserving, let their peace rest on it;
if it is not, let their peace return to them. If anyone will not welcome them or listen
to their words, they should shake off the dust from their feet when they leave that
home or town. It would be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of
Judgment than for that town.

The Significance of the Mission of the Twelve

1. Jesus trained his disciples before he sent them out on mission to practice
what they had learnt. It is necessary for those called of God to receive
training before they start their ministry.
2. Jesus gave his disciples authority over unclean spirits and to heal the sick.
The disciples made use of it and it worked for them. For those who are called
by God to succeed in ministry, they must be endowed with the gifts and the
power of God.
3. Jesus warned the disciples that the power was given to them free and they
should freely make use of it. We should learn that God’s services are to be
rendered fre of charge.

The Mission of the Seventy (Luke 10:1-24)

Only the Gospel according to Luke recorded a separate account of the mission of the
seventy disciples. According to Luke, Jesus appointed Seventy other disciples and
sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where h e was about to
go. He told them: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of
the harvest, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Jesus then instructed the seventy disciples saying, “Go: I am sending you out like
lambs among wolves. Do not take a pure or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone
on the road. When you enter a house, first say ‘peace to this house’. If a man of
peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that
house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his
wages. Do not move around from house to house. When you enter a town and are
welcome, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, “The
kingdom of God is near you. But, when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go
into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe
off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near I tell you, it will be
more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Jesus spoke against some cities where his miracles were performed because they
refused to believe in Him. The cities were Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernum. Jesus
finally said to them: “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects
me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

The seventy disciples went on the mission and were successful. They returned with
joy and said to Jesus: “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name”. Jesus
replied them by saying: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you
authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the
enemy; nothing will harm you.

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names
are written in heaven”.

At that time, Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit and said: “I praise you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the
wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes Father, for this was you
good pleasure. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows
who the son is except the father, and no one know who the father is except the son
and those to whom the son chooses to reveal him”.

Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said privately to them: “Blessed are the eyes
that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and Kings wanted to see
what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

The Significance of the Mission of the Seventy

 1. The disciples in the mission of the seventy cast out the evil spirit through the
name of Jesus. Faithful Christians are doing the same today. They are
performing miracles, signs and wonders in the name of Jesus, in Churches,
Crusades, revivals, Christian retreats and meetings.
2. The disciples were obedient to Jesus’ instruction and they were able to cast
out demons. When we obey instructions of God as written in the Bible, it
shall be well with us. We must also learn to obey constituted authorities like
religious leaders, parents and teachers in order to achieve success.
3. The mission of the twelve disciples represents the mission to the Jews, while
the mission of the seventy represents the mission to the Gentiles (foreigner).
God wants us to reach out to all the people in the world.

THE TRIAL, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF

JESUS
Jesus and his disciples went to the Garden of Gethsamane after they had observed
the last supper and while they were there, Judas, one of his disciples, led a group of
people to arrest Jesus. Jesus, after His arrest was taken to the house of the high
Priest, called Caiaphas. The members of the Jewish Council, called Sanhedrin, had
already gathered there. When Jesus was tried, he was found guilty of blasphemy for
calling himself the son of God. Such a person should die, according to Jewish law.
But the Jewish lacked the power to sentence anyone to death, because the Romans
had conquered them and also taken power from them. Then the council took Jesus
to Pontius Pilate, who was a representative of the Roman government in Jerusalem,
to be tried by him.

Jesus was finally found guilty after the trials and was sentence to death. Though he
did not commit any offence to justify that.

The Trials of Jesus

Christ Before the High Priest: (Mathew 26:36-75, Mark 14:53-75, Luke 22:66-71)

The Gospel of Matthew recorded that Jesus was taken to the house of Caiaphas, the
High priest, where the Jewish Council had been waiting for his trial. Peter was
following Jesus at a distance and later sat down with the guards. The Chief Priest
and the members of the Council sought false witnesses against Jesus in order to put
him to death, but they could not find any though many people came forward. Later,
two false witnesses came forward and said: “This fellow said: “I am able to destroy
the temple of God, and to build it in three days.”
Jesus was asked by the High priest to answer to the allegation. But, Jesus did not
answer. The High Priest then said to him: “I adjure by the living God, tell us if you
are the Christ, the son of God’. Jesus replied: “You have said so. But I tell you,
hereafter, you will see the son of man seated at the right hand of power, and coming
on the clouds of heaven”.

When Jesus said this, the High Priest tore off his clothes, and said:

“He has uttered blasphemy. Why do we still need a witness? You have now heard his
blasphemy. What is your Judgment?”

They answered that Jesus was guilty. The people then spat on His face and struck
Him while some them slapped him, and said;

“Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

The maid saw peter sitting outside in the courtyard and accused him that he was
with Jesus of Galilee. But, Peter denied the accusation. Another maid also accused
him the same way, but peter denied knowing Jesus with an oath. After sometimes, a
bystander also accused him of being one of the followers of Jesus because his accent
had betrayed him as a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word of Jesus that:

“Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times”. And Peter went out, and
wept bitterly.

The Significance of the trial before the High

Priest

1. The Jewish Council arranged some people to bear false witness against Jesus
in order to destroy him. We should desist from accusing people falsely. It is
against the commandment of God that says, we should not bear false witness
against our neighbor.
2. After Jesus was falsely accused, he did not defend himself but kept quiet. By
so doing, Jesus surrendered himself to the will of God. As Christians, we
should also learn to always submit to the will of God.
3. Jesus declared his identity before the council. We should not be ashamed to
declare who we are before the people. You should declare what God says
you are, no matter what the case may be.

Christ Before Pilate and the Roman Authorities

(Math 27:11-37, Mark 23:1-25; Luke 23:1-5)

According to Matthew, in the morning, Jesus was bound and brought before Pilate,
then the Roman Governor, Pilate asked Jesus whether he was the king of the Jews.
Jesus replied him by saying. “You have said so” The Chief Pries and elders also
accused him, but he did not answer them and Pilate was surprised.

It was the custom for the governor to release a prisoner requested by the people
during the Passover celebrations. Pilate then asked the people who they would
want him to release to them between Barabbas, a notorious robber and Jesus
Christ. Pilate knew that Jesus was delivered as a result of jealousy, that was why he
made this offer, and beside Pilate’s wife had warned him while he was on the
judgment throne, that he should “have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I
have suffered much over him today in a dream.” The Jewish authorities compelled
the people to demand for the release of Barabbas, and the crucifixion of Jesus.

Pilate asked them again who they wanted him to release between Barabbas and
Jesus. The people asked for the release of Barabbas. When he asked them what
should happen to Jesus, they all said he should die. When pilate wanted to know the
offence he committed, they shouted the more the he should be crucified. When he
realized that he could not prevail upon the people to get Jesus released and that
instead riot was about to start, Pilate took water and washed his hands in the
presence of the people, saying that he was innocent of the blood of Jesus and asked
them to see to his crucifixion. Then the people shouted saying: “His blood be on us
and our children”.

Pilate then released Barabbas and scourged Jesus, then delivered him to be
crucified. The soldiers took, Jesus to the Praetorium and gathered the battalion
before him. They removed his clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. They put a
plaited crown of thorns on his head. They also put a reed in his right hand and
began to mock him by kneeling before him the spat on him and took the reed from
Him and struck him on his head and dressed him in his own clothes and led him away
for crucifixion.

The Significance of the Trial before Pilate

1. Jesus was innocent yet he was sentenced to be crucified by Pilate out of the
fear of Jews. This is a lesson to us that we should ensure that justice is done
without the fear of anybody.
 2. The trial showed clearly that Jesus was delivered out of envy. Even Pilate
knew it. We as Christina should learn not to envy anybody’s success; we
should rather rejoice.
3. Jesus did not commit any sin, but suffered for the sin of the entire world. We
should accept Him into our lives and also believe in Him.

Christ Before Herod (Luke 23:6-12)

Only the Gospel according to Luke recorded the trial of Jesus before Herod Antipas
who was the ruler of Galilee.

Luke said while Jesus was being tried by Pilate, he discovered that Jesus came from
Galilee. He therefore sent him for trial under Herod Antipas, who was in Jerusalem
at that time. Herod was glad when he saw Jesus, because he had been desiring to
see him for a long time. He had heard many things about Jesus and was also
hopping to see some miracles performed by Him. When Jesus appeared before him,
he interrogated him, but he did not respond to any of his questions. As Jesus was
being interrogated, the Chief Priests and Scribes leveled various accusations against
Him. Herod did not find any fault with Jesus. Herod and his soldiers mocked Him and
mistreated him. They dressed him in a gorgeous garment and sent him back to
Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends again; for before this event they were
enemies.

The Significance of the Trial before Herod

1. Pilate was fair in sending Jesus to Herod for trial, because the charge against
Jesus was that he had been stirring up the people against the Roman
government from Galilee to Jerusalem. Therefore, we should learn to be fair
in judgment.
2. Herod wanted Jesus to perform some miracles for him but Jesus refused.
This is because Jesus was not looking for favour from Herod. Christians
should be aware not to use God’s power and gifts for their selfish end.

THE TRIAL, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS

The crucifixion Death and Burial of Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:32-56) The Gospel of
Matthew recorded that after Pilate had condemned Jesus, He was led out to be
crucified. He was carrying His cross and the soldiers were leading him to Golgotha to
be crucified. When he was on His way, a man called Simon of Cyrene was called
upon to help Jesus carry his cross. In Golgotha, Jesus was given wine mixed with gall,
to drink. When he tasted it, he refused to drink it. Then they crucified Jesus and the
soldiers casts lots to divide His garments among themselves. When all these had
been done, the soldiers were watching him. They wrote an inscription that indicated
His charge over His head which read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”. Two
robbers were also crucified with Him, one on the right and the other on the left.

Those who were passing through the place where Jesus was crucified began to revile
Him, and to wag their head saying: “You who would destroy the temple and build it
in three days, save yourself. If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

Likewise, the chief Priests the scribes and the elders also mocked Him saying. “He
saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel, let Him come down
now from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let God deliver Him
now, if He desires Him; for He said, “I am the son of God”.

One of the thieves, who was crucified with Him also mocked Him.

Now, from the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
About the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: “Eli, Eli, lama
Sabachthani?”. Meaning: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

When some of the people that were standing there heard that, they said Jesus was
calling Elijah. Then one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it
on a reed and gave Him to drink. The rest of the people said: “Wait, let us see
whether Elijah will come and save Him”.

When Jesus had cried again with a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit.

After the death of Jesus, the curtain of the temple tore into two, from top to bottom;
and there was an earthquake and the rocks were split; graves were opened; and
many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose and came out of the graves
after His resurrection and went into the holy city, and appeared to many. When the
centurion and the soldiers watching over Jesus saw the earthquake, and those things
that had happened, they feared God greatly, saying: “Truly this was the son of God”

The women were also there, beholding what was happening afar off. These were
the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him. Among them
were Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and John, and the mother of the
sons of Zebedee.
The Significance of the Death of Jesus on the
Cross

1. Jesus died on the cross of cavalry for the sin of the whole world. He himself
did not commit a single sin yet he sacrificed himself that we might be saved
from the impending wrath of God that is coming on sinners. There is no need
for another sacrifice because Jesus has done it once and for all. We should
accept Jesus into our lives in order to live a life that is pleasing to God.
2. When Jesus died, the curtain of the temple tore into two from the top to
bottom, which shows, that those who accept the sacrificial work of Christ
now have direct access to God. They are now children of God. What is
expected of them is to live sacrificial lives of holiness and righteousness.

The Burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-66)

Matthew wrote that in the evening of the day that Jesus died, a man called Joseph of
Arimathea, who was among the disciples of Jesus went to Pilate and asked for His
body. Pilate gave an order that the body of Jesus should be given to him. Joseph
took the body of Jesus from the cross and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid
it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. Joseph rolled a great stone
to the door of the tomb, and departed. Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, were
sitting over the Sepulcher. On the following day which was the day of the
preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together and said to Pilate: “Sir,
we remember that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, ‘After three days I will rise
again. Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest his
disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, he is risen
from the dead: so the last error shall be worse that the first”.

Pilate said to them: “You have a watch: go your way, make it as secure as you can”.
So they went and watched over the tomb, and sealed the stone.

The Significance of the Burial of Jesus

1. Joseph of Arimathea personally took care of the burial of Jesus. He wrapped

the body of Jesus in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb. This
is a way of contributing to the work of God. We should learn to contribute
our resources and time to the furtherance of the work of God. By so doing,
God will bless us in return.
2. The women disciples of Jesus demonstrated their love for Jesus by witnessing
his burial. They were still at the tomb of Jesus even when every other person
had left. This shows that we as Christians should demonstrate genuine love to
 others. We are to visit the bereaved and comfort them in the period of their
sorrow.

THE TRIAL, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF

JESUS
The Synoptic Accounts of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark
16:1-8, Luke 24:1-11)

The three Gospels wrote about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All of them wrote
that when the female disciples of Jesus went with spices to the tomb of Jesus to
anoint his body, they discovered the he had risen from the dead. Matthew added
that there was a great earthquake at the tomb when the women got there and the
stone by entrance of the tomb was rolled away by an Angel who also told the
women that Jesus had risen from the dead. But Mark and Luke did not mention
anything like an earthquake. Mark said a young man in white robes told the women
of the resurrection of Jesus. Luke said that two men in clothes that gleamed like
lightning stood beside them and informed them that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Luke also said that the disciples of Jesus did not believe when the women told them
that Jesus had risen.

Mathew said, after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent
earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled back the
stone covering the entrance to the tomb and sat upon it. His appearance was like
lighting, and his clothes were as white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him
that they shook and became like dead men. The Angel said to the women, “Do not
be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he was
laid. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that he has risen from the dead and is
going ahead of you into Galilee; there you will see him. Now I have told you.”

When the women heard the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, they hurried away
from the tomb with great joy and ran to tell his disciples.

The Importance of the Resurrection of Jesus

Christ
1. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the foundation of the
Christian faith. If Jesus did not resurrect as he said, there would have been
nothing like Christianity today.
2. The resurrection of Jesus Christ brings the hope of salvation. Anyone who
accepts Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, receives new life as a result of Jesus’
resurrection.
3. The resurrection of Jesus brings victory over death for believers (Christians).
The death of a Christian is just a translation to God’s kingdom. Just as God
raised Jesus from the dead, so will God raise the true Christians on the day of
resurrection.