Religious Studies GCSE

Coursework Assignment Two

Mr Horsman

The Suffering Death and Resurrection of Jesus

1)Jesus' death and resurrection for us on the cross is arguably the most important factor for modern day Christians beliefs.  It is a fundamental belief of Christians that Jesus died to clear us of all sins, including original sin left by Adam and Eve.  In order to uphold Jesus' sacrifice Christians receive the Holy Communion every Sunday and receive the body and blood of Christ.

Verses 14:17- 31 of Marks Gospel, This is where Mark gives his account of the last supper.  The last supper is an extremely significant factor in Jesus’ resurrection and in modern day Christian rituals such as the Holy Communion.  It is significant because in this meal Jesus gives up his body and blood when he says:

        ''This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many’'  

This is effectively the first ever Holy Communion and the time when everyone at the supper receives their first Communion which is now followed by every modern day Christian.  Thus showing how selfless and caring Jesus was as he was willing to give up his own body, blood and ultimately his life for his people.  This act could also be viewed as Jesus leaving behind a bit of himself in everyone so that everyone kept the faith whist Jesus was not there, before his resurrection.  Another significant event at the supper is when Jesus reveals to his disciples that one of them will betray him.  Christians believe that Jesus knows who will betray him yet he still sits through the supper and does nothing.  This is one example of the colossal amounts of temptation Jesus faces to walk away from every thing and not endure the pain and suffering of death.  

MK 14: 27-31, is when Jesus tells his disciples that they will desert him.  This is the first realisation of Jesus having to endure this time of suffering on his own.  This is when Christians realise that Jesus was always condemned to fulfil his duties alone.

Verses 14: 32-41 of Marks gospel, this is the first instance of Jesus’ loneliness in the Garden of Gethsemane.  It is believed by Christians that Jesus considers running away from his task and ultimately his suffering.   Christians believe that Jesus begs God to let him just be a normal person, Christians believe this because Marks Gospel states:

        ‘Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will’

This leads Christians to believe that Jesus was a human being just like everyone else, sharing the same emotions.  Jesus was afraid of the pain and suffering that he has to endure, in the same way that any other person would.   Christians believe that this is the point that Jesus fully understands his purpose, that only he can take these burdens, he understands God will and knows that God would not want him to do this unless good came out of it.  This is the point that Jesus is absolutely certain of what is being asked of him and why he needs to do it.

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Straight after Jesus had finished talking to God he was arrested by the Jewish authorities, in the middle of the night which was against the law in those days.  It is believed that this is what Jesus had expected when at the last supper he said that one of them will betray him.  This is an example of Jesus resisting temptation and excepting what was required of him even the he knew it meant suffering.

This is when Jesus is brought before Pilate in MK:53- 65, it is here that we become aware of the hatred  the Jewish ...

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