One bright morning, Jesus was taken to a big hill called Golgotha. The sky was gray and the wind whispered softly through the trees. Jesus carried a heavy wooden cross on His back. It was rough and heavy, but Jesus walked slowly and carefully.
Many people were watching. Some were sad and some were very angry. Jesus did not say a word. He knew He was doing something very important. He wanted to show God’s love to everyone, even when it was hard.
When they reached the top of the hill, the soldiers put Jesus on the cross. They nailed His hands and feet to the wood. Jesus felt pain, but He still loved everyone. He looked up to the sky and prayed to God. “Father, forgive them, because they don’t understand what they are doing,” He said softly.
The sky grew darker, like a big blanket covering the earth. The sun hid behind the clouds. It was like the whole world was feeling sad. Jesus said, “I am thirsty,” and a kind man gave Him a drink. Then Jesus said, “It is finished,” and He closed His eyes.
After Jesus died, the earth shook and the rocks cracked. The curtain in the temple tore in two from top to bottom. This showed that now everyone could be close to God. Jesus’ friends were very sad and they cried. But they also remembered His words about being alive again.
Jesus died on the cross because He loves us so much. He took the punishment for all the wrong things we do. This is why we can be friends with God forever. Even when things are hard, Jesus is with us and loves us very much.
Questions to think about
- Why did Jesus carry the heavy cross?
- What did Jesus say when He was on the cross?
- How did the sky look when Jesus died?
- What happened to the curtain in the temple?
- Why did Jesus die on the cross for us?
Message of the story
God loves us so much that Jesus took our place and died for us. Because of Jesus, we can be close to God forever.
Bible passage
Luke 23:26-49
Luke 23:26-49 (ICB)
26 As the soldiers led Jesus away, they grabbed Simon from Cyrene, who was coming into the city from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.
27 A large crowd of people followed Jesus. Many of them were sad and crying.
28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Don’t cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children.
29 The time will come when people will say, ‘Happy are the women who cannot have children, and the wombs that never had babies, and the breasts that never gave milk!’
30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’
31 This is because if people do these things to a green tree, what will happen to a dry tree?”
32 Two other men were led away to be killed with Jesus.
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they nailed Jesus to the cross.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.” The soldiers divided His clothes by throwing dice.
35 The people stood and watched. The leaders made fun of Jesus. They said, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!”
36 The soldiers also made fun of Jesus. They came and offered Him sour wine.
37 There was a sign above Jesus that said, “This is the King of the Jews.”
38 One of the criminals hanging beside Jesus said, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”
39 But the other criminal said, “Don’t you fear God? We deserve to
