The Last Days of Jesus' Life (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Crucifixion

The trial of Jesus

• Jesus was put on trial by the Sanhedrin

  • They considered Jesus's claims to be the son of God to be blasphemy and found him guilty of this charge

• The next morning, Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor

  • Pilate did not think that Jesus was guilty, so he gave the assembled crowd a choice

  • He would release either Jesus or a Jewish freedom fighter, Barabbas

  • The crowd chose Barabbas to be released, which meant Jesus was to be crucified

The crucifixion of Jesus

• The crucifixion of Jesus is an important event for all Christians

  • It is remembered during the festival of Easter

• The Bible describes the events leading up to the crucifixion

• The events start with Jesus making his way to the place of his crucifixion, carrying the cross

• The soldiers mocked Jesus and placed a crown of thorns on his head

  • The crown of thorns represents both Jesus's suffering and that his persecutors mocked him

• Jesus was crucified on a Friday alongside two robbers, one on each side of him

• A sign above his head read “King of the Jews”

• As he was being crucified, Jesus cried out: 

• One of the robbers confessed to Jesus that he had sinned and said that he and the other robber deserved to die for their crimes

  • The robber also acknowledged that Jesus was innocent

  • Jesus told this robber that they would meet again in Paradise

• Christians believe that Jesus's crucifixion was a crucial moment in his life, as this act brought humans salvation from sin

Salvation & atonement in Christianity

What is salvation in Christianity?

• Christians believe that when Jesus died on the cross, he sacrificed himself for the sins of humankind

  • This allows humans to be reunited with God after death in heaven, and this is called salvation

• Christians believe that when God sent Jesus to earth, the sins of humans were forgiven

• Jesus, who is believed to be “without sin”, offered redemption for humans through sacrificing his own life

• The crucifixion, resurrection and ascension are central to the Christian belief in salvation

• Christians refer to this as “salvation through grace and spirit”, which was made possible through the death of Jesus

  • Christians believe that God shows grace to everyone

• The Holy Spirit helps Christians to follow God’s teachings and keep faith to find salvation

  • An example of this is shown in Jesus's parable of the Prodigal Son

How can Christians achieve salvation?

• Salvation means being accepted by God and, therefore, being assured of eternal life (heaven)

• Christians believe that salvation can be achieved in different ways

  • Salvation by work is the belief that to be accepted by God, you need to obey the law, meaning following the commandments laid down in the scriptures

• Salvation by faith is the belief that salvation is achieved through faith or actively believing in God

• To achieve salvation, Christians must have faith in Christ and live a Christian life

What is the role of Christ in salvation?

• Christians believe that Jesus was the perfect human and that God placed all sins on him at the crucifixion

• The sacrifice of Jesus paid for the sins of humans, provided they have faith in him

• Following the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, humans were forgiven for the sins of the past and have the opportunity to be rewarded in heaven

• This process brought about the reconciliation of man and God, known as atonement

What is atonement?

• Atonement within Christianity relates to the return to a state of harmony between God and human beings through the death of Jesus Christ

• Atonement is important because the atoning death of God’s Son was the only way to bring salvation to humanity

• Jesus's actions made forgiveness for the sins of the world and reconciliation possible

• Showing commitment to Christianity for Christians offers atonement for sin, and it can be done:

  • Through repentance (showing regret for sins)

  • Through the grace of God (God’s showing favour to mankind)

  • By God forgiving mankind and mankind forgiving each other

What is the significance of atonement?

• Christians believe that it is through atonement that redemption can occur for the sacrifice that Jesus made for mankind

• Christians believe that Jesus's death and resurrection restored the relationship between God and humankind that had been broken by original sin

• They remember this when they repeat the words of the Nicene Creed

• For Christians, the fact that God sacrificed his only son is clear proof of his omnibenevolent nature

• The Apostles’ Creed states that Christians believe in a God who forgives sins and makes eternal life possible

• The belief in atonement is central to the Christian belief about the relationship between God and mankind