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Why was Jesus condemned?
Jesus’ public teachings caused both admiration and opposition. At first, many people followed Him, but others began to reject Him:
- The Pharisees and teachers of the Law did not like how Jesus interpreted Jewish laws. They were also upset that He forgave sins without following their rules.
- Some people were disappointed because they only wanted to see miracles, while Jesus asked for a change of heart.
- The Jewish leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their authority, especially because He challenged the practices in the Temple of Jerusalem.
As Jesus arrived in Jerusalem for Passover, the religious leaders decided to have Him arrested.
Jesus Knew What Was Coming
Jesus was aware of the danger, but He did not stop His mission. He knew His death was part of God’s plan—to bring life and salvation to the world. He compared Himself to a grain of wheat: If it is not buried in the ground, it cannot grow and bear fruit. Jesus also spoke of His resurrection, knowing that God the Father would not let death be the end.
The Last Supper and the Gift of the Eucharist
On the night before He died, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples. During this meal, He did something extraordinary: He took bread, blessed it, and said: “This is My Body, given for you.” Then, He took a cup of wine, blessed it, and said: “This is My Blood, poured out for you.”
Jesus was telling them that He would give His life for the salvation of all. This was the beginning of the Eucharist, a new covenant between God and His people. Jesus asked His disciples to continue celebrating this meal so that He would always be with them.
The Arrest and Trial of Jesus
After the supper, Jesus went to pray, knowing what was coming. His disciples fell asleep, and when soldiers came to arrest Him, they all ran away. Jesus was taken before the Jewish religious leaders, who accused Him of blasphemy—claiming to be the Son of God. This was considered a crime punishable by death.
Then, He was taken to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. The Jewish leaders wanted the Romans to be responsible for His death. They told Pilate that Jesus was calling Himself “King of the Jews”, making Him seem like a threat to Rome. Pilate, though unsure, condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion, a punishment given to the worst criminals.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus was beaten, mocked, and forced to carry His cross outside the city. He was nailed to the cross and crucified between two criminals. To many, it looked like He had failed.
But before He died, Jesus did something important: He gave His mother, Mary, to His disciple John, telling them to take care of each other. From that moment on, Mary became the mother of all who follow Jesus.
Jesus gave His life out of love and remained faithful to the Father’s will. His death was not a defeat—it was a great act of salvation for the whole world.
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