The passion of Christ II

Christian Religious Studies J.S.S2 Third Term

Sub-theme: Religion and National Values

Week 2

The passion of Christ II

Performance objectives

Students should be able to:

1. Explain the last supper as a communion of Eucharist, in remembrance of Jesus Christ.

2. Explain the meaning of betrayal.

Content

The Last supper (Matt.26:57-68)

Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples went to the chief priest to betray Jesus; they were delighted to hear it and promised to give him money, so he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the feast of the unleavened bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciple asked him, “where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”, So he sent two of his disciples to go into the city, saying “a man carrying a jar of water will meet you, follow him and go to the owner of the house he enters. Ask for the guest room, that the teacher needs where he may eat the Passover with his disciples.” They did as they were told.

When it was evening, Jesus arrived with his twelve disciples, while they ate, he said: “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me- one who is eating with me, one who deeps bread into the bowl with me”. “The son of man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man who betrays the son of man. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying “take it, this is my body”, then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them and they all drank from it “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out of many” he said to them. “I tell you the truth; I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” And they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Significance of the last supper

The last supper is celebrated among Christians today, known as Holy Communion.

Moral Lesson: Jesus obeyed the customary laws and partook in the Passover feast, as Christians, we should obey the laws of the country.

The betrayal and Arrest

While Jesus was still speaking to his disciples, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples appeared with a crowd armed with swords, sent from the chief priest, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

The betrayer (Judas) had arranged a signal with them “The one I kiss is the man, arrest him and lead him away under guard.” He went at once to Jesus and said “Rabbi”, kissing him; the men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near his sword struck the servant of the high priest cutting off his ear, this was peter. But Jesus told him to put his sword back, he said he was not leading a rebellion and it was possible to appeal to His father and He would at once send to him more than twelve legions of angels to destroy his attackers, but all they did was to fulfil the scriptures.

He then faced the crowd that came to arrest him like a robber carrying swords and clubs, he told them: “Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple court, and you did not arrest me.” When the disciples saw that Jesus was arrested, a young man wearing a linen garment was following Jesus, when they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Moral Lesson: Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus because of money. We should not betray anyone for any reason.