Bible stories for children and teenagers have become learning reservoirs that every young one will love to read or listen to. Also, the teachers and leaders in children’s churches throughout the world can make use of the stories for the teaching-learning process. Seven selected and interesting New Testament Bible Stories about the death of Jesus have been worked on.
1. The Plot against Jesus
Jesus and their disciples left for Galilee. Jesus was there teaching the disciples and he told them he would be handed over to the people that would kill him. Jesus said that he would rise three days later. The disciples began to be afraid because they did not understand.
Before the three days, Jesus had been doing a lot of miracles. Many people heard and came to see the miracles. They visited Mary and people had faith in Jesus.
Jesus stopped going to the public and returned to Jerusalem. He met his disciples and told them again. Two days had gone when the Son of Man would be handed over to the people that would kill him. The enemies would nail the Son of Man to a cross.
The Chief Priest and the leaders at the home of Caiaphas of the nation had met to arrest Jesus and put him to death. Satan used Judas and told the Chief Priest and Leaders how Jesus Christ could be arrested through him.
Jesus came back to where he was praying and found his disciples sleeping. Jesus told Peter that they could not stay awake with me for an hour. Then Jesus and his disciples went to Gethsemane. He asked his disciples to stay and went forward to pray for the people.
When came back to his disciples and said that the time had come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the enemies. Jesus quickly asked his disciples to get up and go because the one who would betray him was already there. (Mark 9: 30-32)
Lesson: We should not cause our friends. We should do something that can destroy our friends.
2. Jesus Got Arrested
Pharisees could identify Jesus among the disciples. But Judas had promised to betray him. Judas agreed with the Chief Priests and Pharisees. Judas said that the person he would kiss was Jesus. They could arrest him. When the Pharisees came, Judas kissed Jesus. Jesus said to Judas that he kissed to betray him.
The Pharisees arrested Jesus and Peter wanted to fight them with the sword. Jesus stopped him. He said that He had to drink from the cup that his Father had given to him. Jesus told the men that he was not a criminal. They did not need to come with swords. The enemies of Jesus arrested him and his disciples ran away. (John 18: 3-6)
Lesson: We should also betray our friends.
3. Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross
The soldiers led Jesus away. They grabbed him with a man from Cyrene named Simon. This man was used to carry the cross behind Jesus. Two soldiers called “The Skull” nailed Jesus to a cross. Two criminals were also nailed to other crosses.
Jesus still prayed for the people that God should forgive them because they did not know what they were doing. The people passing by were afraid. The Pharisees said that many things against Jesus, including he could tear down the temple and build it again in three days.
Many people made jest of Jesus that he saved but he could not save himself. They also said if he was the real child of God, he should come down from the cross.
One of the two thieves on the cross mocked him. But the second thief told the first thief to keep off. He said he should not say contrary to the man. They did not offend anyone we were criminals and we were suffering for our crimes. The criminal said that Jesus should remember him he came into power. Jesus promised him that he would meet him in paradise that day. (Luke 23: 26)
Lesson: We should not do something that will lead people to death.
4. The Death of Jesus
When it was time for Jesus to die, the sky turned dark at noon. Jesus even knew that his work had finished. When Jesus shouted that he put himself in God’s hands, he died. When the earth shook and rock split at noon, the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom. Suddenly, graves opened. Many of God’s people rose to life. (Matthew 27:45-46a)
Lesson: Jesus loved and died for us. We should love our friends, parents, and neighbors.
5. The Burial of Jesus
One of Jesus’ disciples was Joseph. Joseph was from Arimathea. Joseph kept the burial secret because he is afraid of Jewish leaders.
Nicodemus also came with pounds of spices made from myrrh and aloes. Nicodemus came to visit Jesus one night and did not let anybody know. He brought pounds of spices made from myrrh and aloes.
The two men came and wrapped the body. The body was in a linen cloth together with the spices. Then, Joseph put the body in his tomb. He then rolled a big stone against the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph waited and watched where the body was placed. (John 19: 38-40)
Lesson: Jesus Christ was buried. Everybody will die one day.
6. Jesus Appears to His Disciples
The disciples of Jesus came together and they were talking about what had happened. Jesus appeared and greeted them. The disciples were frightened because they thought they had seen a ghost. Jesus talked harshly to them because of their doubtful attitude. They did not easily believe.
But Jesus said that they should not be so frightened. He showed his hands and his feet to clear doubt. He also told them to torch him and find themselves. The disciples believed and they were so glad after they torched him. The disciples gave Jesus a piece of baked fish. He took it and then ate it. Jesus then sent the disciples out to preach the gospel. (Luke 24: 36-37)
Lesson: Jesus appeared to comfort the disciples. If we die, we shall wake up in heaven to see Jesus.
7. Jesus Returns to Heaven
Jesus appeared and told that he would go back to heaven. After he said these, he went to heaven and disappeared. Then, he sat down on the right side of God. After some time, the disciples could not see him. They were still looking up into the sky as he went to heaven.
Suddenly, they saw two men dressed in white clothes standing beside them. The two men asked why they were standing there and looking up into the sky. They said He would come back in the same. The disciples returned to Jerusalem with happiness. As they left and preached in places, the Lord was with them.
Jesus did many miracles for his disciples. This is written in order to believe in Jesus. as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him as the Messiah and the Son of God, you will have a true life. (Mark 16:19)
Lesson: Jesus is coming back to take us to heaven one day.
Deaconess Ayobami Adelakun
