Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

The story of the crucifixion of Jesus, often called the Passion, is the central narrative of Christian theology, detailing the final hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life. Recorded in the four Gospel accounts of the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the event likely took place in Jerusalem around AD 30 or 33.

Trials and Condemnation

After being betrayed by his disciple Judas Iscariot and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin and then the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Although Pilate found no legal basis for a death sentence, he succumbed to the demands of a gathered crowd who shouted, "Crucify him!". Pilate symbolically washed his hands of the responsibility and ordered Jesus to be flogged and executed.

The Journey to Golgotha

The Roman soldiers mocked Jesus by dressing him in a purple robe and placing a crown of thorns on his head. He was forced to carry his own cross through the streets of Jerusalem along a path now known as the Via Dolorosa. Exhausted from the flogging, Jesus eventually collapsed, and the soldiers forced a bystander named Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross the rest of the way to Golgotha ("the Place of the Skull").

The Crucifixion

At Golgotha, soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross at approximately 9:00 a.m.. He was hung between two convicted thieves; while one mocked him, the other asked for remembrance and was promised paradise by Jesus. Above his head, a sign was placed that read: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews".

Key events during the six hours he hung on the cross include:

The Seven Last Words: Jesus uttered seven significant statements, including "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" and his final cry, "It is finished".

Division of Clothing: Soldiers cast lots (gambled) for his seamless robe.

Darkness and Earthquake: From noon until 3:00 p.m., darkness covered the entire land. At the moment of his death, a powerful earthquake occurred, and the heavy curtain in the Temple was torn from top to bottom.

Death and Burial

Jesus died around 3:00 p.m.. To ensure he was dead, a Roman soldier pierced his side with a spear, from which blood and water flowed. Joseph of Arimathea, a secret follower and member of the council, requested Jesus’ body from Pilate. Along with Nicodemus, he wrapped the body in linen and buried it in a new rock-cut tomb just before the Sabbath began.

The Resurrection (Easter Sunday)

The resurrection occurred on the third day following the burial, marking what Christians believe is the triumph over sin and death.

The Empty Tomb:

Early Sunday morning, several women—including Mary Magdalene—visited the tomb to anoint the body with spices. They found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.

Angelic Announcement:

Angels appeared to the women, declaring, "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said".

Appearances:

The resurrected Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene near the tomb. Over the next 40 days, he appeared to various followers, including:

Two disciples on the Road to Emmaus.

The eleven remaining apostles, even allowing them to touch his wounds to prove his physical reality.

More than 500 followers at once.

The Great Commission and Ascension: Before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed his disciples to spread his teachings to all nations.

For believers, the crucifixion represents a sacrifice for the sins of humanity, while the resurrection serves as the "foundation of the Christian faith," proving Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and offering the promise of eternal life.