7 Days of the Easter Story: A Family Experience Through the Feelings of Holy WeekSample

Sadness and the Crucifixion

Jesus’ death on the cross was full of sadness. In the garden of Gethsemane, He prayed that He wouldn’t have to go to the cross. But He was ready to do what God the Father wanted so we could be saved from our sins. After praying, He found the disciples “sleeping, exhausted from their grief” (Luke 22:45). Grief is a deep feeling of sadness. Remember all the surprises from the night before? Jesus’ disciples were emotionally exhausted.

The sadness continued as Judas brought soldiers to Jesus. Jesus was arrested, blindfolded, ridiculed, and beaten. None of the government officials found Jesus guilty, but a crowd of people demanded His death. As He was led away to be crucified, “a large crowd of people followed him, including women who were mourning and lamenting him” (Luke 23:27).

A person who is mourning shows sadness. Although many people had demanded that Jesus die, some still believed He was the Messiah and were saddened by all that was happening. Jesus was nailed to the cross and died. Even the earth was sad. Can you believe that? Not only was there an earthquake, but for three hours in the middle of the day, the world also became completely dark as if the earth was hiding in grief. The crowds walked away, “striking their chests,” a public way of showing grief and sadness (Luke 23:48). Just imagine Jesus’ family and close friends watching through their tears as He died. It was a sad day.

Sadness: Sadness is an emotion that points to loss. Something important to you is now gone, either temporarily or permanently. Perhaps you’ve been sad when you had to miss a special event or when your grandparents left after a fun visit. These are temporary losses. But a divorce, the death of a pet, or leaving behind good friends when you move away are permanent losses and lead to grief. The more you love someone or value something, the more you grieve when it’s lost. That’s why grief and sadness are actually good. They mean you care deeply. It’s no wonder, then, that the people grieved the loss of Jesus. They wondered if they had lost their Master forever.

Family Discussion Questions:

• After Jesus died, people were “striking their chests,” a public way of showing grief and sadness. Have you ever lost something or someone so special that it made you want to scream, kick, or throw something?
• Remember, to be sad means you have a big heart. It means you care. Read Matthew 5:4. What do you think this verse means?