The Crucifixion

       A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought JESUS to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered HIM wine mixed with myrrh, but HE did not take it. And they crucified HIM. Dividing up HIS clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

       It was the third hour when they crucified HIM. The written notice of the charge against HIM read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two robbers with HIM, one on HIS right and one on HIS left. Those who passed by hurled insults at HIM, shaking their heads and saying, "So! YOU who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save YOURSELF!"

       In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked HIM among themselves. "HE saved others," they said, "but HE can't save HIMSELF! Let this CHRIST, this KING OF ISRAEL, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with HIM also heaped insults on HIM.

Gospel of Mark: chapter 15, verses 21 - 32

The Crucifixion

       As they led HIM away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind JESUS. A large number of people followed HIM, including women who mourned and wailed for HIM. JESUS turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for ME; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then

       " 'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!"

          and to the hills, "Cover us!" '

For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

       Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with HIM to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified HIM, along with the criminals--one on HIS right, the other on HIS left. JESUS said, "FATHER, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up HIS clothes by casting lots.

       The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at HIM. They said, "HE saved others; let HIM save HIMSELF if HE is THE CHRIST OF GOD, THE CHOSEN ONE."

       The soldiers also came up and mocked HIM. They offered HIM wine vinegar and said, "If YOU are THE KING OF THE JEWS, save YOURSELF."

       There was a written notice above HIM, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

       One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at HIM: "Aren't YOU THE CHRIST? Save YOURSELF and us!"

       But the other criminal rebuked HIM. "Don't you fear GOD," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

       Then he said, "JESUS, remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom."

       JESUS answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with ME in paradise."

Gospel of Luke: chapter 23, verses 26 - 43

The Crucifixion

       So the soldiers took charge of JESUS. Carrying HIS own cross, HE went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified HIM, and with HIM two others--one on each side and JESUS in the middle.

       Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where JESUS was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."

       Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

       When the soldiers crucified JESUS, they took HIS clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

       "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it."

       This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said,

          "They divided MY garments among them

              and cast lots for MY clothing."

So this is what the soldiers did.

       Near the cross of JESUS stood HIS mother, HIS mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When JESUS saw HIS mother there, and the disciple whom HE loved standing nearby, HE said to HIS mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Gospel of John: chapter 19, verses 16 - 27

THE LORD'S Supper

       On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to JESUS and asked, "Where do YOU want us to make preparations for YOU to eat the Passover?"

       HE replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'THE TEACHER says: MY appointed time is near. I AM going to celebrate the Passover with MY disciples at your house.' " So the disciples did as JESUS had directed them and prepared the Passover.

       When evening came, JESUS was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, HE said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray ME."

       They were very sad and began to say to HIM one after the other, "Surely not I, LORD?"

       JESUS replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with ME will betray 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."

       Then Judas, the one who would betray HIM, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"

       JESUS answered, "Yes, it is you."

       While they were eating, JESUS took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to HIS disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is MY body."

       Then HE took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is MY blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in MY FATHER'S kingdom."

       When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 26, verses 17 - 30

THE LORD'S Supper

       On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, JESUS' disciples 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, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'THE TEACHER asks: Where is MY guest room, where I may eat the Passover with MY disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."

       The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as JESUS had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

       When evening came, JESUS arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, HE said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray ME--one who is eating with ME."

       They were saddened, and one by one they said to HIM, "Surely not I?"

       "It is one of the Twelve," HE replied, "one who dips 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 for 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."

       When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Gospel of Mark: chapter 14, verses 12 - 26

The Last Supper

       Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. JESUS sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."

       "Where do YOU want us to prepare for it?" they asked.

       HE replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'THE TEACHER asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with MY disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there."

       They left and found things just as JESUS had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

       When the hour came, JESUS and HIS apostles reclined at the table. And HE said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of GOD."

       After taking the cup, HE gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of GOD comes."

       And HE took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is MY body given for you; do this in remembrance of ME."

       In the same way, after the supper HE took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in MY blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray ME is with MINE on the table. THE SON OF MAN will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays HIM." They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

       Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. JESUS said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I AM among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by ME in MY trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as MY FATHER conferred one on ME, so that you may eat and drink at MY table in MY kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

       "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

       But he replied, "LORD, I am ready to go with YOU to prison and to death."

       JESUS answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know ME."

       Then JESUS asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?"

       "Nothing," they answered.

       HE said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: 'And HE was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in ME. Yes, what is written about ME is reaching its fulfillment."

       The disciples said, "See, LORD, here are two swords."

       "That is enough," HE replied.

Gospel of Luke: chapter 22, verses 7 - 38

The Triumphal Entry

       As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, JESUS sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to ME. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that THE LORD needs them, and HE will send them right away."

       This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

       "Say to the Daughter of Zion,

          'See, your king comes to you,

       gentle and riding on a donkey,

          on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

       The disciples went and did as JESUS had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and JESUS sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of HIM and those that followed shouted,

       "Hosanna to THE SON OF DAVID!"

       "Blessed is HE who comes in the name of THE LORD!"

       "Hosanna in the highest!"

       When JESUS entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

       The crowds answered, "This is JESUS, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Gospel of Matthew: chapter 21, verses 1 - 11

The Triumphal Entry

       As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, JESUS sent two of HIS disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'THE LORD needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "

       They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as JESUS had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to JESUS and threw their cloaks over it, HE sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

       "Hosanna!"

       "Blessed is HE who comes in the name of THE LORD!"

       "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"

       "Hosanna in the highest!"

       JESUS entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. HE looked around at everything, but since it was already late, HE went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Gospel of Mark: chapter 11, verses 1 - 11

The Triumphal Entry

       After JESUS had said this, HE went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As HE approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, HE sent two of HIS disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'THE LORD needs it.' "

       Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as HE had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"

       They replied, "THE LORD needs it."

       They brought it to JESUS, threw their cloaks on the colt and put JESUS on it. As HE went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

       When HE came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise GOD in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

       "Blessed is THE KING who comes in the name of THE LORD!"

       "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

       Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to JESUS, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

       "I tell you," HE replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

       As HE approached Jerusalem and saw the city, HE wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of GOD'S coming to you."

Gospel of Luke: chapter 19, verses 28 - 44

The Triumphal Entry

       The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that JESUS was on HIS way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet HIM, shouting,

          "Hosanna!"

          "Blessed is HE who comes in the name of THE LORD!"

          "Blessed is THE KING OF ISRAEL!"

JESUS found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,

          "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;

          see, your king is coming,

          seated on a donkey's colt."

       At first HIS disciples did not understand all this. Only after JESUS was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about HIM and that they had done these things to HIM.

       Now the crowd that was with HIM when HE called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that HE had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet HIM. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after HIM!"

Gospel of John: chapter 12, verses 12 - 19