Today's story is called,

"For Me!"

The memory verse

is from John Chapter 3, verse 16.

It says

"For God so loved the world,

that He gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him,

shall not perish, but have eternal life."

The message is

I want Jesus, to be my personal Saviour.

Who is your best friend?

Would you be willing to suffer to help that friend?

Is there anyone you don't like?

Would you do whatever it takes to help

that person, if they were in trouble?

I know someone who would answer "Yes"

to both questions.

He suffered and died in our place,

to save everyone.

Let's read His story.

"I have examined this man, and He is innocent"

Pilate argued.

"I will have him whipped

but then i will release Him."

A great roar

rose from the crowd.

"Crucify Him! Crucify Him!

Release Barabbas to us!"

The crowd shouted

louder and louder.

It was the custom

to release a prisoner during the Passover season.

The crowd was demanding that a

terrible criminal be set free.

And that innocent Jesus be put to death.

Pilate was the governor.

But he was afraid of the people.

And at last, he let them have their way.

Pilate knew Jesus was not guilty of any crime.

But he turned Him over to the mob.

And he let Barabbas out of prison.

Thousands of people lined both sides of the road

as Jesus struggled along.

He staggered under the weight of His cross.

Most people shouted and jeered at Jesus.

His friends and followers, wept.

Finally Jesus fell down.

He had no strength left

after being beaten by the soldiers.

The soldiers grabbed a strong looking man

who was standing nearby

Simon,

a traveler from the town of Cyrene,

was forced to carry Jesus' cross.

They reached the place called Calvary,

the place where criminals were crucified.

The soldiers pushed Jesus roughly

down on the cross.

They pounded long, iron spikes

through His wrists and His feet.

Then they lifted the cross

and dropped the bottom of it

in a hole in the ground,

so it would stand upright.

The pain was terrible.

Crucifixion was the most painful

and cruel way to put someone to death.

But Jesus prayed,

"Father,

forgive these people,

they don't know what they're doing."

The crowd watched as leaders made fun of Jesus.

"He saved other people, but He can't save Himself!"

They jeered.

The soldiers made fun of Jesus too.

They made a sign and nailed it above His head.

"This is the King of the Jews!"

It declared.

Two thieves were crucified along with Jesus.

One of the men mocked Him.

"So you're the Messiah!

Prove it by saving Yourself, and us too!"

The other thief responded

"We deserve to die." He protested.

"But this Man, has done nothing wrong!"

He turned to Jesus and said

"Remember me when you come into Your Kingdom."

And Jesus promised that He would.

At noon, the light from the Sun completely disappeared.

The darkness lasted

until 3 o' clock when Jesus cried.

"Father!

I entrust My Spirit into Your hands!"

And then, He died.

The earth shook.

The curtain in the temple was torn

into two from top to bottom.

Only God or His angels could have ripped

the thick curtain!

A good man named Joseph went to Pilate,

and asked for Jesus' body.

Joseph put Jesus' body in a new tomb.

One that had been carved out of a rock.

The very tomb that Joseph had made for himself.

A big stone was rolled in place to seal the tomb.

It was very late Friday afternoon.

All was quiet.

Everyone knew something powerful... had just happened.

This podcast is read by Frenita Buddy

for Gracelink.net.

Created and produced by Falvo Fowler

Post produced by Faith Toh at Studio Elpizo

The theme music is by Clayton Kinney

Animation and artwork by Diogo Godoy

The audio engineer was Karel Holness

For more infomation please visit

Gracelink.net

Close captioning and subtitles by Wyman Loke