PBA 2023 Day 3

The Cross: Easter

What is the first thing that pops in your head when you hear Easter? What special things do you do at your house at Easter?

Easter can be a busy time. There are egg hunts to attend, candy to buy, eggs to decorate and new outfits to pick out. It’s easy to get lost in the beautiful colors and candy during Easter and it can get confusing as to why we celebrate.

We celebrate because death has been conquered! Jesus died, even though He was the ONLY person to ever live that didn’t deserve to die. But...three days later, He came back to life! He came back to life and He showed Himself to His friends who thought He was gone forever! Easter is what gives Christmas its meaning. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. But at Easter, we celebrate the whole reason why Jesus came to Earth! Without Easter, Christmas wouldn’t mean nearly as much as it does.

A lot has happened since Jesus was born. He grew up! He taught, performed miracles, raised people from the dead, healed the sick! He was very busy! Jesus chose 12 men to be His key disciples or students. He taught them and trained them. Jesus had a lot of people who believed He was God’s son but there were a lot who didn’t believe and they wanted Jesus to die!

Let’s read about what happened during Jesus’ final week. This is also known as The Passion Week. Sunday is also known as Palm Sunday.

Greeting Game

Read Matthew 21:1-11.

GREET

What were the people shouting as Jesus rode into town? What was the crowd spreading along the road? Palm branches symbolize victory, the cloaks on the road symbolize their submission to Him as King. Jesus riding on a colt also showed that He was arriving in the city as a peaceful King.

Clothespins game

Read Matthew 21:12-17

GREED

Why do you think Jesus was upset with the money changers? (The temple is a house of prayer and they were using it for the wrong reasons)

What are some ways we can use the church for the wrong reasons today? What else did Jesus do at the temple? (He healed many people)

What were the children doing? (praising Him)

Why do you think the leaders and priests were so angry?

Read Matthew 26:1-5 and 26:14-16

Judas was one of Jesus’ friends. Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? How did that feel?

How much did Judas get for betraying Jesus?

The Passover Meal

Solar system demonstration

Read Matthew 26:20-30

GRAVITY

The Passover Meal is now referred to by Christians as The Lord’s Supper. Have any of you participated in The Lord’s Supper at church?

What does the bread represent? What about the wine?

Read Matthew 26:36-46

GRIEF

Jesus and His followers went to a place called Gethsemane. He asked His followers to sit while He went off to pray.

Why was He so sad? (He knew he was about to die)

In His prayer, Matthew 26:39, Jesus asked, “My Father, if it is possible, do not give me this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.”

What do you think He meant by “this cup”?

What did Peter, James and John do while Jesus was praying? (fell asleep)

Read Matthew 26:47-50

What was the sign Judas used to tell them who to arrest?

What are some ways we betray Jesus today?

Good Friday.

After Jesus was arrested, He was handed over to the authorities and condemned to death on made up charges.

Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do? How did that make you feel?

Read Matthew 27:28-31

He was humiliated, spat on, made fun of, beaten... They forced Him to wear a crown made of thorns that tore the flesh on His head. Then after all that, He was nailed to a cross! This is called crucifixion. If there is a way to die more painfully or slowly than crucifixion, the Romans couldn’t find it. This was used for the worst criminals. Jesus hung on that cross for OUR sins.

Read Matthew 27:45-50

GRAVE

Why do you think we call this day Good Friday? (He died thinking of every one of us! And He died so we can one day live with Him in Heaven forever!)

Read Matthew 27:57-66

Who asked for Jesus’ body? (Joseph of Arimathea)

What did he do with the body of Jesus? (wrapped it in clean linen cloth and placed Him in a tomb)

Why was the tomb guarded? (They were afraid someone would steal the body and lie saying He had risen from the dead)

Easter Sunday

Read Matthew 28:1-10

GLORY

What did the women find when they went to the tomb? (an angel on the stone, empty tomb)

What did the angel tell the women?

What feelings did the women have? (they were afraid but also very happy)

Who did they meet as they were leaving? (Jesus)

What did Jesus tell them to do? (Go and tell the disciples that He would soon see them)

Understanding Jesus’ death and resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sin through His death on the cross, BUT that was NOT the end! He conquered death to give us everlasting life through His resurrection! Jesus’ whole purpose for coming to earth in the first place was to save us from our sin!

Why did He have to die? Why couldn’t He just say, ‘You are forgiven”? God is just and He requires a payment for sin. According to His Word, the payment for sin is death. Romans 6:23 He may be just, but He is also loving and that is why Jesus was willing to die in our place. He did this so we could be forgiven. Jesus paid the price for our sins.

Jesus fulfilled over 350 prophecies from the Old Testament. Here are just some concerning His death: (see chart)