To see the instructions for making an Easter Week devotional box, click on the following link: Palm Sunday
Easter Week - Jesus' Trial and Crucifixtion
Jesus'
trial was illegal for many reasons. It was illegal because it occurred
at night, without public notification. It was held the day before the
Sabbath and was concluded in one day. No investigations were made, and
there were avowed enemies of Jesus sitting in judgement. There was no
unanimous vote. Crucifixion was the most horrible form of death in the
Roman empire. Pure humiliation was a big part of the practice. It is
believed that Jesus actually died of a broken or ruptured heart (Psalm
69:20-21). The blood and water that spilled out of His side when He was
pierced with the sword were medical indications of a ruptured heart. The
burial was made in haste before the Sabbath. Joseph of Arimathea was a
disciple of Christ, but he hesitated to confess it because he was afraid
of the Jews. He did want to make sure that Jesus wasn't buried in a
mass grave with the other executed criminals, and so he went to Pilate
to beg for His body. He was assisted by Nicodemus, who brought the
costly embalming ointments reserved only for the wealthy. Both men
belonged to the Sanhedrin, but both truly believed in Jesus, the Son of
God.
Application: How do you feel about what Christ has done for you?
Family Discussion:
In the middle of his pain, the criminal on the cross beside Jesus
realized his need for forgiveness. What a joy that must have been to
know that he would be with Christ after death! (Luke 23:43) How do you
think Jesus felt when the man realized his need for forgiveness? What
did the man have to do to have eternal life? What must we do to have
eternal life? These verses remind us that it is not the things we
do that earn us eternal life. Only accepting Jesus on the cross for us,
as a gift, gives us eternal life in heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Family Activity:
On Friday afternoon, close all of the curtains and blinds in your home.
Talk about this being the time that Jesus died on the cross and that
His disciples were afraid and sad. Keep the house dark all day on
Saturday (Luke 23:44). After the kids are in bed on Saturday night, open
up all of the windows and blinds! On Sunday morning, the sunlight will
stream into the windows making your home light again. This tradition is
one that will help your children identify with the grief and sorrow of
the disciples, and it will help them understand that we need to
grieve on our own for the death of Jesus. Show them how grief turns into
joy as He is raised from the dead on Easter morning.
Prophecy (scripture from the Old Testament that accurately foretold the happenings of Jesus): "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open his mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:7
"Dogs surround Me; a pack of villains encircles Me; they pierce My hands and My feet." Psalm 22:16
"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from saving Me, so far from My cries of anguish?" Psalm 22:1
Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:47-27:61, Mark 14:43-15:41, Luke 22:47-23:49, John 18:1-19:37
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| I found this wooden cross at Walmart for just under $3. I found paint that we had in my craft supplies and let Caleb finger-paint last night. We talked about the fact that this was a cross, and that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He is only 1, but it's never too early to start teaching! He made this to give to Grandma in her Easter basket on Sunday morning :-) |
Spend some moments in quiet reflection today as you remember the greatest Gift ever given.
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