Read about the events below and watch a short video of the students performing.
PALM SUNDAY
Jesus came to Jerusalem,the week he was to die,
riding on a donkey, riding strong and high.
Children ran to meet him, palms in hand they sing:
"Hosanna, Son of David, "Hosanna to our king."
Jesus was going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
As he got nearer, his friends brought a donkey to him.They threw their coats over it and helped Jesus to climb onto it.
When the crowds heard that he was approaching they came out to greet him.
“Praise God!” they shouted. “Jesus is our king!”
They threw down palms in front of the animal to show their respect and Jesus rode into the city like a King.
THE LAST SUPPER
Jesus gathered with his friends to celebrate Passover. This was to be the last supper he would eat with His friends.
Before they began to eat Jesus took some water and washed their feet and dried them with a towel. “You must be willing to serve one another as I have served you,” he told them.
He told them that the one who took the bread dipped in the sauce would betray him that same night. He gave the bread to Judas and told him to do what he had to do. Judas left.
Then he took the bread, he thanked God for the food, he gave a piece to each of his friends and said, “Eat this, this is my body which will be given up for you. It will help you remember me.”
Then he gave a cup to his friends and said, “Drink this, this is my blood which will be shed all men. It will help you remember me.”
He told his friends, “Remember how I will die for you.”
JESUS IS BROUGHT BEFORE PILATE
Jesus was in the garden praying. Judas led the soldiers to Jesus and kissed him, so they would know who to arrest. The soldiers took him to Pilate who asked what he should do with Jesus.
They shouted, “Crucify him!”
Pilate asked, “What has he done?”
They shouted louder, “Crucify him!”
There was a really bad man called Barabbas and Pilate said to the crowd “ Who should I release? Barabbas, who is a really bad man or Jesus, who has done nothing wrong?”
But they still shouted, ”Crucify him.”
So Pilate took a bowl of water and washed his hands.
“I am not responsible for the death of this man. It is you who want it.”
JESUS’ FINAL JOURNEY
Jesus was taken and flogged until he was so weak he could hardly stand.
They placed a crown of thorns on his head and made him carry his cross.
As he walked people shouted nasty things at him. They called him names and made fun of him.
The soldiers forced a man called Simon from the crowd to help Jesus carry the cross because they were afraid he would die before they could crucify him.
As he went towards his final destination, Golgotha, he was followed by his mother and those who believed in him
JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
They took Jesus and they nailed him to the cross. People shouted at him, “If you really are the Son of God, save yourself.”
As he hung there in pain, he raised his eyes to heaven and said
“Forgive them Father, they don’t know what they are doing.”
He looked down from the cross and saw his mother and his friend John.
“Take my mother home and look after her for me.”
At the third hour, he gave his final cry and died.
There was a huge noise in the sky and the ground shook.
The soldiers stopped what they were doing and one said, “This man really was the Son of God.
They pushed a sword into his side to make sure he was dead and water flowed from his side.
Before it got dark, they took Jesus from the cross, wrapped him in cloth and placed him in the tomb.
THE RESURRECTION
When the Sabbath was over, on Sunday, the women came to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. They were shocked. The grave was open and the body gone. The angel spoke to them.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus. But he’s not here. He’s alive and well. Look this is where his body was. Hurry and tell his friends. You will see him again soon.”
The women went to tell the others but they would not believe, so Peter and John went to the grave to see for themselves. John reached the grave first but he didn’t go in. When Peter arrived they went in and saw the cloths, which had been around Jesus’ body, lying untouched. They knew that what the women had said was true. Jesus was risen from the dead.
The two men went home but Mary Magdalene stayed. Then she caught sight of the man she thought was the gardener.
“If you have taken him away,” she said, “tell me where to find him.”
She did not realise she was speaking to Jesus.
Then Jesus said, “Mary!” and she knew at once who it was. She was filled with joy.
“Tell my friends you have seen me,” said Jesus.
Mary went to find the others to tell them that she had seen Jesus.
Through Jesus we have new life and new hope.
Jesus shows His love for us in His Passion and Death. Can you think of someone who loves you very much, or can you remember someone who loved you very much? Can you show God that person in your heart and picture that person hugging you? Can you picture their arms around you as they hold you tight, giving you a good, loving hug? Let God know what you like about being hugged by that person. Now picture Jesus putting His arms out and hugging you. Stay with Jesus while He hugs you and holds you close. Let Jesus know how you like being with Him.
