Easter Assignment: The Death of Christ

Theme: The Death of Christ

Study Guide Assignments

1. Read Isaiah 53:1-12 and Psalm 22:1-18. These prophecies were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born, yet they foretell his death as the Messiah. Copy at least two verses from one of these passages. Write down at least two words from Isaiah 53 which are synonyms for the word sin.
   
2. Click on When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Read the lyrics, listen to the audio, and click on the verse reference. Copy down the Bible verse and the first stanza (four lines) of the hymn. Who is the lyricist (the man who wrote the words)? About how many centuries ago were the words written?
3. Michelangelo sculpted the Pietà during the Renaissance era. ("Renaissance" is a French word which means rebirth.) Look at the sculpture carefully, and then write two sentences describing it. Then write another sentence telling who made it (including his last name), when it was created and where it is now. Then go to http://www.dictionary.com/ to find out what “pietà” means, and write the definition. What would it have been like to be Mary, holding Jesus' body after it was removed from the cross?
   
4. Read Luke 23:26-56 and let it sink in. Imagine what it would have been like for you to be right there. Write several sentences as if you were making an entry in your journal the next day. You will continue this tomorrow in the assignment about the resurrection.
5. Read the poem below and copy the first stanza.

"WHO OVERCAME EVIL BY GOOD"
by Mary Whitcomb Hess after a homily by Saint Amphilochius in the 4th Century

They stretch Him
On a Cross to die ---
Our Lord Who first
Stretched out the sky

Whose countenance
The cherubim
Dare not gaze on …
They spat on Him

And gave Him gall
To drink
Though He
Brings us wells
Of eternity.

He prays for them
“Father, forgive…”
For He was born
That all might live.

Round the sealed tomb
Of Him they’ve slain
They set a guard
In vain, in vain

Round Him
Creation can’t contain
Who dies for us
To rise again.

~*~*~

6. This tapestry below, "The Crucifixion" by Pieter Pannemaker, is found in the National Gallery of Art. You can click on it to enlarge it. How can you use your creative skills -- in visual arts, music, writing, or public speaking -- to communicate the message of Christ?