Comprehensive Study Notes on the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ

The Night of Gethsemane and the Arrest of Jesus

During the events leading to the crucifixion, Jesus prayed for Himself in the olive grove. According to Luke $22:43-44$ , as He prayed, an angel came to strengthen Him. At the conclusion of His prayer, as noted in Mark $14:42$ , Jesus informed His disciples that the one who was going to betray Him was near.

Scene Two describes the arrest of Jesus while He and the disciples were in the olive grove. Judas Iscariot arrived, accompanied by soldiers and officials. As recorded in Luke $22:47-53$ and John $18:1-11$ , Judas identified Jesus by drawing close to Him and kissing Him. Throughout the arrest, Jesus maintained an attitude of control and calm. During the confrontation, Jesus performed His last miracle before the crucifixion by healing the man whose ear Peter had cut off. Following the arrest, the disciples reacted by leaving and fleeing, as described in Matthew $26:56$ .

The Religious Trials: Before Annas and Caiaphas

Following His arrest, Jesus was first taken to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, according to John $18:12-13$ . In this setting, Jesus remained in perfect control. When Annas asked Him to explain His disciples and His teachings, Jesus responded that He had always taught openly in the synagogues and the temple and had said nothing in secret. He pointed out that those who heard Him knew what He said. During this exchange, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand. Jesus responded by saying, "If what I said was wrong, bear witness about the wrong, but if right, why strike me?"

According to John $18:24$ , Jesus was then taken to Caiaphas, the high priest. At the home of Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin was in attendance and attempted to find false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death. According to Matthew $26:59-60$ , this initial tactic did not work. Eventually, false witnesses came forward to make a charge against Jesus regarding His claim to be Christ, the Son of God. Jesus initially remained silent in response to these accusations.

Finally, as recorded in Matthew $26:64$ , Jesus spoke, telling the men that from now on they would see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Following this statement, the high priest tore his robes, declaring that Jesus had uttered blasphemy. The assembly concluded He deserved death, and they proceeded to spit in His face and strike Him, as detailed in Matthew $26:65-68$ and $27:1-2$ .

The Political Trials: Before Pilate and Herod

Jesus was taken before Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. In Mark $15:2$ , Pilate asked, "Are you the King of the Jews?" to which Jesus responded, "You have said so." When the opposition accused Him of many things in Mark $15:3-5$ , Jesus remained silent and made no further answer. In Luke $23:2$ and $23:5$ , the opposition claimed Jesus stirred everything up and misled the nation. Pilate initially stated in Luke $23:4$ , "I find no guilt in this man."

Upon learning that Jesus was a Galilean, Pilate recognized He was under the jurisdiction of Herod. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, who was visiting Jerusalem. According to Luke $23:8-11$ , Herod and his men questioned Jesus at length, but He made no answer. The opposition vehemently accused Him, and Herod’s men treated Him with contempt and mocked Him before sending Him back to Pilate.

In the final assessment under Luke $23:13-25$ and Matthew $27:24$ , Pilate believed Jesus was innocent of all charges and wanted to release Him or put Him in prison rather than execute Him. Conversely, the people believed Jesus was guilty and demanded He be crucified. Pilate attempted to offer a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, an infamous criminal, but the people chose Barabbas. Ultimately, Pilate granted the people's wish to avoid being disliked or risking his position, and he gave Jesus over to be crucified.

The Fate of Judas Iscariot and the Journey to Golgotha

When Judas saw the results of his betrayal, he realized what he had done. According to Matthew $27:3-10$ , he tried to return the silver to the elders, throwing the pieces down in the temple. The Jewish leaders responded with indifference, saying, "What is that to us? See to it yourself." Judas then went away and hung himself. The chief priests took the silver and used it to buy the potter's field as a burial place for strangers.

As Jesus was led away toward Golgotha, He was physically unable to carry the cross alone due to the night of torture and beatings He had endured. The soldiers seized Simon of Cyrene and laid the cross on him to carry it behind Jesus. A great multitude of people followed, mourning and lamenting. Jesus told them not to cry for Him, but to cry for themselves. Upon arrival at Golgotha, they offered Jesus wine mixed with gall, which He refused to drink. The soldiers divided His garments by casting lots and crucified Him between two robbers, placing a charge over His head.

The Seven Statements of Christ on the Cross

Jesus made seven distinct statements while on the cross that reveal His character and purpose:

First Statement (Luke $23:34$ ): "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." This indicated that the people did not truly realize who Jesus was.
Second Statement (Luke $23:43$ ): Addressing one of the two thieves who asked to be remembered, Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."
Third Statement (John $19:26-27$ ): Seeing His mother and the disciple John, Jesus said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son," and to John, "Behold, your mother," to ensure His mother was cared for.
Fourth Statement (Matthew $27:46$ ): During a period of darkness covering the land from $12$ noon to $3:00\,PM$ , Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
Fifth Statement (John $19:28$ ): Expressing a personal need, Jesus said, "I thirst." He was then given sour wine.
Sixth Statement (John $19:30$ ): After receiving the wine, He said, "It is finished," signifying He had completed everything required of Him.
Seventh Statement (Luke $23:46$ ): His final words were, "Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit," after which He died.

At the moment of His death, three supernatural events occurred: the curtain of the temple was torn in two, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints rose and appeared to many people.

The Burial and the Zion Gazette News Story

Joseph, a respectful member of the Council and a secret disciple who feared the Jews, went to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body. After Pilate confirmed Jesus was dead, he ordered the body given to Joseph. Joseph and Nicodemus—who brought spices—wrapped the body in linen cloths with the spices. Jesus was laid in a new tomb cut from rock in a garden where no one had ever been laid. The women who came with Him from Galilee watched to see where the body was buried.

Zion Gazette News Report (April $30\,AD$ ): "Jesus is Buried. Joseph, a disciple of Jesus, came and asked for the body of Jesus. But Pilate then ordered the body to be given to him to make sure Jesus was dead. Then Joseph got the body and wrapped him in linen and spices that Nicodemus brought. After this they went to the brand new tomb in the garden and buried him. As this happened the woman from Galilee watched to see where the body was buried. Then Pilate ordered for the tomb to be secured until the $3^{rd}$ day after the Jewish leaders requested this. They wanted to be sure that the disciples didn't take Jesus and say he rose."

The Resurrection and Post-Resurrection Appearances

Jesus was convicted because He claimed to be the King of the Jews and the Messiah, which the Jews considered blasphemy. While the people expected an earthly king, Jesus was a Savior whose kingdom is Heaven. On the morning of the first day of the week, an earthquake occurred, and an angel rolled back the stone from the tomb. Jesus appeared to many over the following $40$ days:

To Mary Magdalene: She was the first to see Him at the tomb.
The Disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke $24:13-32$ ): They did not recognize Him at first.
To Simon Peter (Luke 24:34**).\n- **The Disciples without Thomas (John 20:19-25):** They were terrified initially.
The Disciples with Thomas (John 20:26-29**):** Thomas believed after seeing Him.\n- **Seven Disciples at the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-14):** They recognized Him after a catch of fish.
Eleven Disciples in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20**):** They worshiped Him, though some doubted.\n- **Other notable appearances:** References include 1\,Corinthians\,15:6 $($ 500 $brothers),$ 1\,Corinthians\,15:7 $(James), and Acts$ 1:4-9 (the final meeting).\n\n# The Ascension and the Exalted Position of Christ\n\nJesus spent 40 days on Earth post-resurrection. His last instructions to the disciples included the declaration that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him. He commanded them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and promised to be with them always. He also promised the coming of the Holy Spirit. During His last appearance at the Mount of Olives, He was lifted up and a cloud took Him out of their sight into heaven.\n\nThe disciples responded by devoting themselves to prayer. Following the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Peter, who once denied Jesus, boldly accused the "men of Israel" of killing the "Prince of Life." The contemporary position of Christ is defined by several scriptural citations:\n- **Mark 16:19:** Jesus sits at the right hand of God.
1\,Peter\,3:22**:** All authority and power are subject to Him.\n- **Philippians 2:9-11:** His name is above every name, and every knee shall bow.
Revelation 15:4**:** All nations shall worship Him for He alone is holy.\n- **Colossians 1:18:** He is the head of the church and preeminent in all things.
Hebrews 7:25**:** He continually makes intercession for believers.\n- **Revelation 5:12:** He alone is worthy to receive praise.

Teacher's Lesson Notes: The Power of Christ and Heaven

The power of Christ is demonstrated by Creation and the Resurrection (as noted in Romans $14$ ). This power is infinite according to Matthew $28:18$ . In believers, this power accompanies the baptism of the Holy Spirit and provides moral strength.

Heaven is a place prepared by Jesus and built by God. It contains a register of believers and has room for all. It serves as a place of safekeeping for eternal treasures. Believers receive crowns including the Crown of Righteousness, the Crown of Life, the Crown of Glory, and the Incorruptible Crown. Heaven is a place of eternal glory where there is no more sorrow, tears, death, pain, curse, or night.

Names and Titles of Christ

The transcript identifies numerous names and titles given to Jesus throughout the New Testament:

Matthew 1:21**:** Jesus\n- **Matthew 8:20:** Son of Man
Mark 1:24**:** Jesus of Nazareth\n- **Luke 9:20:** The Christ of God
John 1:1**:** Word\n- **John 1:9:** The Light
John 8:58**:** I AM\n- **John 10:7:** Door of the sheep
John 11:25**:** Resurrection and Life\n- **John 14:6:** Way, Truth, and Life
John $15:1**:** The Vine (implied context of John$ 15)\n- **John 20:16:** Rabboni
Acts 7:52**:** Righteous One\n- **Acts 10:36:** Jesus Christ (Lord of all)
1\,Corinthians\,2:8**:** Lord of Glory\n- **1\,Corinthians\,5:7:** Christ our Passover Lamb
1\,Timothy\,1:17**:** King of Ages\n- **1\,Timothy\,2:5:** Jesus Christ
Hebrews 5:9**:** Source of Eternal Salvation\n- **1\,Peter\,5:4:** Shepherd
Revelation 1:8**:** Alpha and Omega\n- **Revelation 1:17:** The First and the Last