Section B Foundations of Religion – Christianity

1. Section B Foundations of Religion – Christianity Chapter Nine The Death and Resurrection of Jesus

2. Conflict with Authority • When an individual or a group clashes with the people who hold power, make decisions and enforce obedience • The authority figures in Jesus’ time were the Romans and the leaders of Judaism

3. Events of the Last Week of Jesus’ Life • Palm Sunday • Turning over the money changers’ tables • Betrayal by Judas • The Last Supper • Praying in the Garden • Arrest • Trial and interrogation • Crucifixion

4. Passover • Passover is a Jewish festival that commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt • Jesus and the disciples shared a last meal together during Passover • This was probably a Seder meal • Jesus followed the Jewish custom of thanking God

5. Memorial • At the meal, Jesus broke the bread and gave it to the disciples, saying: ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me’ • After the meal, Jesus blessed the wine and gave it to the disciples, saying: ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood’ • Eucharist is an action intended to commemorate this.

6. Eucharist • Christian service, ceremony or sacrament commemorating the Last Supper • Eucharist means ‘thanksgiving’ • Bread and wine are consecrated (made sacred) and consumed • Also known as Holy Communion, Mass, the Lord’s Supper

7. Sacrifice • In ancient times, an act of slaughtering an animal or surrendering a possession as an offering to a God • Sacrifice means giving up something valued for the sake of something else that is more important or more worthy • In Christianity, ‘sacrifice’ can refer to Jesus’ offering of himself in the crucifixion

8. Martyrdom • A martyr is someone who is killed for their beliefs • Martyrdom means the death or suffering of a martyr • Jesus’ death was a part of his mission to bring people close to God, and to repair their broken relationship with God, and so he sacrificed himself for others

9. Resurrection • Resurrection means restoring a dead person to life in a transformed way beyond the power of death • In Christianity it refers to the belief that Jesus rose from the dead: ‘When a group of women followers went to anoint Jesus on the Sunday morning, they found the tomb empty and were told: “He has been raised, he is not here”’

10. Transformation • Transformationmeans to undergo a marked change • Following the resurrection, the disciples went through a complete transformation • For the early Christians the resurrection was a transforming event • Modern Christians, remember and celebrate it • Christians believe it has the power to transform people’s lives today

11. Presence • Presencemeans the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present; it can also refer to a person or thing that exists or is present in a place but is not seen • Christians believe that Jesus was God incarnate or ‘God in the flesh’ • The presence of God was fully realised in the life of Jesus but in the resurrection that presence is promised continually until the end of time