Lesson Learned: Jesus died on the cross and was buried (but not for long!)
Materials Needed: blankets, chairs, teddy bear, toilet paper
Bible Verse:
Matthew 27:57-65
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Talking Points: Jesus’ followers were very sad that He had died on the cross. I’m sure they wept and cried to think that they would never see their friend again. One of Jesus’ followers, Joseph of Arimathea,wanted to give Jesus a proper burial so he asked for permission to bury him in a tomb (something like a cave). He wrapped Jesus up in clean cloth and carried him into the tomb. It was a very sad day for Jesus’ friends because they knew He had never done anything wrong in His whole life and yet He had been punished unfairly. They didn’t know, yet, that He was going to be resurrected in 3 days and that He would live forever with God!
Questions: How did Jesus friend’s feel about His death? How do you think you would feel if you saw one of your friends being hurt? What would you do to help them?
Activity: Place the chairs across from each other and drape the blankets over them to form a “tomb.” Let the child wrap the teddy bear up with toilet paper and then instruct them to gently place the bear in the tomb. Explain to them that this is what Jesus’ friends did for Him when He was buried.
Prayer: Praise be to God and His Holy Son, Jesus! You sent Your Son to die on the cross and be resurrected so that we could go to Heaven. Help us to always remember Your words and promises. Amen!