Opening Activity

• Recap the previous story with the child, Jesus had been arrested.
• Ask them if they have ever got in trouble for something that they did not do. Perhaps they had to be punished when they had done nothing wrong. Was this fair? How did this situation make them feel?
• In today’s story Jesus was punished even though He had done nothing wrong.

Bible Story

• Jesus was arrested and taken to Pilate, the Roman Governor. Explain that the Jewish leaders had to take Jesus to Pilate because he was in charge of their country at that time (Matthew 27: 1-2).
• Pilate questioned Jesus. He felt sure that Jesus wasn’t guilty. Remind the children that Jesus had never committed any sins. He was sinless. Pilate knew that the Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to be crucified because they were envious of Him. They had told lots of lies about Jesus. Pilate didn’t want to send Jesus to be crucified so he offered to let one prisoner go free. He said that the Jews could choose which man would be set free. Pilate was hoping they would choose Jesus, but they didn’t. They chose Barabbas who was a wicked man and shouted for Jesus to be crucified. Ask, ‘Did Jesus deserve to be crucified? Do you think this was fair?’ Discuss why God allowed Jesus to be treated this way (Matthew 27: 11-23).
• Pilate knew that the people would not change their minds. He released Barabbas and ordered that Jesus should be whipped and taken away to be put on a cross. Before they crucified Him, the soldiers treated Him very badly. They dressed Him in a scarlet robe and put a crown of thorns on His head. They mocked Him, spat on Him and hit Him. Then they crucified Him by nailing Him to a cross (Matthew 27: 24-31).
• Discuss why Jesus had to die . The Bible teaches that He had done nothing wrong, yet He took the punishment that our sins deserve because He loves us.