Weekly Family Devotional: Jesus Died Instead of Us
Read Luke 23:32–56
You could also read "The sun stops shining" from The Jesus Storybook Bible (pages 302–309), or
"Story 40: Jesus Dies for Us" from The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible (pages 248–253).
Kids Teaching Video
Student Teaching Video
Devotional
After Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he spent the week teaching in the synagogue. He and his disciples ended their Thursday by celebrating the Passover feast together. While they ate, Jesus told his friends that he would be crucified and then raised from the dead three days later. Later that night, a group of soldiers led by Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, and the Jewish Council arrested Jesus. The Jewish leaders were angry with Jesus, because he spoke openly against them. Even though Pilate could find no fault with Jesus, he feared the Jewish people and gave Jesus over to be crucified.
Jesus claimed to be God’s Son; he claimed to be equal with God the Father. The Jews did not believe Jesus, and they wanted to kill him. But Jesus was telling the truth. Jesus is God’s Son, and he is equal with God. He was innocent; he was not guilty of a crime deserving crucifixion. As God, Jesus could have stopped his arrest, suffering, and death at any point. But he continued to let the Roman soldiers abuse, mock, and kill him. Since Jesus was innocent, why would he allow this?
Jesus was the only innocent person who ever lived, but he willingly suffered and died, because he loves you and me. His death on the cross paid the punishment for our sin. It satisfied God's judgment. You see, a holy God cannot tolerate sin. So, God the Father poured out his anger and wrath for sin upon Jesus at the cross. If Jesus did not die for us, we would not have salvation through him. We call the day Jesus died Good Friday, because Jesus accomplished what we could not. Jesus is God’s Son—fully God and fully man. His death on Good Friday won salvation for his people.
Think about it!
Use some questions to review the story with your family.
These questions are built just for STUDENTS.
Read Luke 23:32-38 and Ask: Why were the people mocking and shouting to crucify Jesus? What led them to this great hatred only a few days after they shouted, "Hosanna"? Explain your answer.
Read Luke 23:39-42 and Ask: What is the punishment for sin? Are we under the same sentence of punishment as the two criminals? What provision was made for us to escape judgment and condemnation?
Read Luke 23:44-56 and Ask: Who are the two individuals that correctly identify who Jesus is? If what they believe about Jesus is true, how should we respond?
Remember It!
Take a few minutes to review our catechism question, memory passage. You can sing the memory passage song and dance along to the second worship song about new life in Jesus.
Memory Passage:"Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NIV 1984)
Big Picture/Catechism Question:
How did Jesus die? Jesus suffered and died on the cross, but after three days, he rose again!
Review and Pray!
Here are some great ideas to review this lesson in your own family.
These activities are built just for KIDS.
Play this representative game: Every time one member of the family does something helpful today, every member of the family gets a reward—like a piece of chocolate. Explain that because the other members of your family are representing you, you get to share in their reward. This reminds us about how Jesus is our representative.
Print out and color some of these Good Friday and Easter coloring pages.
At the end of your devotional, take time to pray. Pray for those who are severely affected by the virus, for our government leaders as they make decisions about our city, state, and country, and for peace for our church family during these trying times.