BECKY - I understand that Jesus had to die to be resurrected but why did he have to be crucified? Was it because that was the most popular method of the day? Why did he have to be betrayed by Judas? Is there a reason why he was killed at that particular time in his life? Was the fact that it was during Passover significant?

JOEL - Crucifixion was the the accepted form of execution among the Romans, reserved for the worst of the criminals. According to research by James E. Talmadge:

"It was unanimously considered the most horrible form of death. Among the Romans the degradation was also a part of the infliction, and the punishment if applied to freeman was only used in the case of the vilest criminals. . . . The criminal carried his own cross, or at any rate a part of it. Hence, figuratively, to take, take up or bear one's cross is to endure suffering, affliction, or shame, like a criminal on his way to the place of crucifixion (Matt. 10:38; Matt. 16:24; Luke 14:27). (Jesus the Christ).

But probably the most important reason the method of death was crucifixion amongst the two criminals, was to fulfill the prophecies made by Isaiah centuries previous to this event:

"Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isa 53:12)

"And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.
And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it." (Isa 22:23-25, See also Ezra 9:8)

Judas betrayed Jesus by his own choice because of his greed and questionable character. Luke said: "Then entered Satan into Judas." And John said of him: "He was a thief." (John 12:1-6.)

But once again the betrayel is another fullfilment of Bible prophecy from Jesus Himself:

"And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:" (Matt 17:22)
"And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said." (Matt. 26: 21, 25)

And by the Psalmist:
"They took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life." (Ps. 31:13.)

As to the role of Judas in those conspiracies, the Psalmist says:
"Mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." (Ps. 41:9.)

Even the price for the betrayel was prophesied. Judas said,
"What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" he asked. "And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him." (Matt. 26:14-16.)

"Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us?
see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet (actually Zechariah said it), saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me." (Matt. 27:3-10.)

This fulfills that which Zechariah had said:
"If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord." (Zech. 11:12-13.)

There are many interesting and important events that take place during the time of Passover, both during the time of Jesus and today.
A good article on this is found in the January 1994 Ensign