Station 1
Here He was betrayed and deserted….
Scripture
And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
(Luke 22:44)
The Setting
This station begins our journey. It is the garden of Gethsemene across the Kidron Valley. It was the middle of a spring night and probably cloudless and cold as it was described in the book of John. Ancient olive trees adorned the garden casting eerie shadows foreshadowing what was to come.
Reflection
Jesus came to the Garden to pray to the Father knowing this was about to be where his disciple Judas would betray him into the hands of the world. Jesus himself knew how great the suffering would be to accomplish God’s will. In taking on all of mankind’s sin, he would undoubtedly be completely alienated from the Father. This engulfed him with such agony that he sweat drops of blood. But Jesus affirmed his desire to do the will of the Father….to endure the suffering…..for us…..sinners, betrayers, deniers….
While he was speaking with his disciples…. “Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd, armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them,: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings Rabi” and kissed him.
(Matthew 26: 47)
The guards seized Jesus….and the Disciples fled.
Contemplation
We also, in life, have been betrayed, we have been deserted, we have suffered and we have had dark days. We have all been in a “Gethsemene” before, although Christ’s Gethsemene can hardly be fathomed in our fleshly minds. Look into all the mirrors in the garden and see yourself as the sinner that Jesus came into this world to love and ultimately die for. Note the rose petals on the ground to symbolize his bloody sweat. This can help us realize that no matter what tragedy or hardship comes our way, the sovereign and faithful Lord Jesus has a purpose for those that love him.
Prayer
Father, the more I try to imagine what it was like that night in Gethsemene, the more I weep for you and Jesus. I weep for the love you have for me and my kind. To face what Jesus faced, to go through what he went through in order to purify and set me free is amazing. I am weak but I seek to become strong like Jesus. Please teach me to pray earnestly that I might not enter into the temptations that constantly pester me. Make me like Jesus. AMEN.
The last station is a reflection station. I will post a pick when I get a good one, but I will go ahead and post the Station Card.
Station 2
He was falsely accused…
Scripture
But when the leading priests and other leaders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. “Don’t you hear their many charges against you?” Pilate demanded. But Jesus said nothing, much to the governor’s great surprise.
(Matthew 27:12-15)
The Setting
In the quarters of Pontius Pilate, the governor of the province of Judea where Jerusalem is located, a large crowd gathers outside. Jesus has been brought here to be judged. He is accused of blasphemy, lying and sedition among many other crimes. It was custom that every Passover, the governor would allows a criminal for the people to release and shown mercy from crucifixion for the crime they committed. Pilate presents a hardened criminal, Barabbas, well deserved of fateful punishment, and he presents Jesus.
Reflection
Pilate knows that the Jewish leaders arrested Jesus out of envy. He is even urged by his own wife not to hurt an innocent man But the priests and leaders persuade the crowds to ask for mercy on Barabbas and demand for Jesus to be the one to be crucified as a criminal.
“But if I release Barabbas,” Pilate asked them, “what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” And they all shouted, “Crucify him!”
“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the crowd only roared the louder, Crucify him!” …. and he….sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this man. The responsibility is yours.” (Matthew 27:22-24)
Contemplation
Jesus had the power to prove he was innocent but he could not then die the shameful death in our place that we deserve. He could have called on a legion of angels to wipe out everyone that stood accusing him to crimes He did not commit. Yes, he could have won, but then we would have lost. And we would be lost for all eternity.
In his heart, Pilate knew Jesus was innocent of the charges he was accused of. In lieu of making the right decision and being influenced by the riot that was about to ensue amongst the people, Pilate succumbs to the peoples demands to hold their favor and the favor of Caesar. Symbolically, he washes his hands in water but this could not remove the stain of sin that penetrated his heart. As a sinner who accepts Christ, you are washed “in the blood that Christ shed for you”. But how many times do we go against our conscience to please or be accepted by others?
Prayer
“Behold your king,” says Pilate
“Away with him”, the people shout
And they sent you to your death
Lord Jesus, Word made flesh,
Light for our dark world
God come to save us,
May we never send you away. AMEN
Station 3
He was denied by those who vowed their loyalty, love & faithfulness
Scripture:
Peter said, “I swear by God, I don’t know this man (Jesus) that you’re talking about. And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and cried.
The Setting
This scene takes place outside in the courtyard of the High Priest, Caiphas. It was closed off to most people but John the disciple being related to the High Priest, had connections to get Peter into the courtyard for this providential scene to take place. At this point in our journey, Jesus was condemned to a criminal’s death upon a cross. And while the guards were leading Jesus away, they were beating Him. Peter was amongst the crowd seeing him led away….
(You will also notice 30 pieces of silver representing Judas’ betrayal).
Reflection
Just hours before this scene in the courtyard, it was Peter himself who vowed that unto death he would never deny Him. And as the mob came to retrieve Jesus from the garden, [Peter was the one who stepped forward to violently strike the high priest’s servant with a sword to defend his Lord Jesus.] But in His omniscience, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him, not once but three times.
And as soon as Peter denied Him the third time, he looked up…. At that moment, Peter saw the Lord who turned and look at Peter…and he went outside and wept bitterly.
(Luke 22:61)
This connecting gaze between Jesus and his disciple was too overwhelming for Peter as Jesus’ ominous words came to life within his own heart of his broken promise.
Contemplation
What horror and disappointment in himself that Peter must have felt- not only in denying him but catching a glimpse of the eyes of the Messiah, as he, his own disciple and friend denies Him. How often do we deny Jesus with our words and actions? The eyes of Christ are always there watching over us because he loves us, like he loved Peter.
Prayer Hymn: In the Hour of Trial
In the hour of trial, Jesus, plead for me, Lest, by base denial, I depart from Thee;
When Thou seest me waver, With a look recall; Nor for fear or favor Suffer me to fall.
Shoult Thy mercy send me Sorrow, toil, and woe; Or should pain attend me On my path below;
Grant that I may never Fail Thy hand to see; Grant that I may ever Cast my care on Thee.
When, in dust and ashes, To the grave I sink, While heaven’s glory flashes O’er the shelving brink,
On They truth relying Through that mortal strife; Lord, receive me, dying, To eternal life. AMEN
Station 4
He suffered unbearable pain and torture
and was mocked as a “king”
Scripture
Then the governor’s soldier’s took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail , king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again…. Then they led him away to crucify him.
(Matthew 27:27-31)
The Setting:
Pontius Pilate has now given into the people’s demands. He has Jesus flogged with a lead tipped whip and then releases Jesus to a large crowd of Roman soldiers who mock him and further beat him.
Reflection
As you walk through the archway of the blood soaked strips take notice of the crown of thorns that was placed on his head and beaten into his flesh. Notice the scarlet robe they made him wear to mock him as a king. And understand that it wasn’t enough for them to beat and mock him but they also horrendously spit in his face.
Contemplation
Maybe now you will realize how far sin really can go. Why was Jesus treated this way? What wrong thing did He do? What was there in all his life that he should deserve such treatment. He healed the sick, fed the masses, was a fountain of blessing among the hurting. Yet the some of the same people who welcomed him into Jerusalem, cried out for his crucifixion. The High Priest who was supposed to be the representative of the goodness of God amongst the Jews, condemned Him to death as a felon to die on the cross. Yet did Jesus flash looks of hatred upon them? Did he stare with contempt on them? No, He did not. He could have singed them with a flash of his eyes alone but He was all perfect tenderness and love even toward these men. If you feel you can say with some relief, “Well, it was them that did that to Jesus, not me” then you should realize it is YOUR sin that pierces his brow… YOUR sin that has bloodied him raw…. YOUR sin that has spit in his face.
Fall on your knees great sinner, for the King of Kings has come to die for you….
Prayer
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus, Christ: O lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father: who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. You who take away the sins of me, have mercy upon me. You, who sit at the right hand of God, receive my prayer of thanksgiving for your great and holy act of sacrifice. AMEN.
Station 5
He carried our burdens and sufferings
Scripture:
One will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7-8)
Setting
This is the trek from the Praetorium to Golgotha. This was a visible place where crucifixions would occur to deter criminals.
Reflection
When they were physically tired of beating and mocking him, the Roman soldiers led Him out to be crucified. It was customary for a criminal to carry his own cross.
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha, which means the Place of the Skull. (Matthew 27:32,33)
Contemplation
Remember that Jesus, though fully God, was also made fully man and his body was just like ours- just as vulnerable, just as sensitive to pain. Let us think about what Jesus had to endure up to this point: He had been betrayed, denied and deserted by those who vowed their love and dedication, put on trial and condemned, been flogged and then mocked, teased, spit on and beaten so severely that even the most savage of people could not have tortured an enemy the way they tortured Christ. But to the very last moment, Satan had no hold on him. Jesus was perfect in the face of sin- even unto death.
The headlines before you show the suffering of this sinful, broken and fallen world. When your burdens seem too hard to bear, know that Jesus is carrying that cross with you. The cross shadows over these sufferings as the Victory over the enemy is accomplished. While suffering and trials continue in the world, it is a relationship with Jesus that will carry his people into eternity.
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
Prayer
You were led to Calvary, Lord,
Carrying the cross by yourself.
Yet was the cross only yours,
Or was it also mine you bore?
By your holy cross, O Jesus,
Make me strong and able
To take up the cross I must bear. AMEN
Station 6
He absorbed all the sins of the world….
Scripture:
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not….But he was pierced for out transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:3,5)
Setting:
Once nailing Jesus to the cross, the Roman soldiers stood the cross up between two criminals who were also being crucified that day. Often when criminals were being crucified, the pain was so great that they began to hurl insults and screams. But even at the point of Christ’s death, He maintained focus of His mission with total and complete love in His heart.
Reflection:
When Jesus’ cross was set up and placed between the criminals, the people, the soldiers and the religious leaders still mocked him. It was tradition to post the criminal’s crime above his head but because He was not found guilty for any particular crime, the only accusation placed on his sign was the “crime” for being “King of Jews”. The book of Luke records that one of the criminals next to him repented of their crimes, acknowledged him and requested that Jesus remembered him in His kingdom. Jesus not only promises him that the robber would be with him in paradise, but Jesus also call out to God, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” He was speaking about everyone even those who tortured and mocked him... even the religious leaders who forced the crucifixion...and all people in the world past, present and future..... And this includes you! It encompassed all sins of all men & women in all of time. God’s wrath was satisfied and Jesus bridged the barrier between God and man so that we can approach God directly; however, only through faith in Christ.
Contemplation:
There is no sin too great or too small to keep you from having a relationship with God if you trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Sin separates us from God and by taking on the sins of the world past, present and future, this temporarily separated Jesus from the Father which is what he so dreaded in the Garden that caused him to sweat drops of blood. This is the God who loves you; He wants to walk with you through this life and He wants you in His eternal Kingdom. Jesus died this horrible death, physically and spiritually, so you wouldn’t have to.
[He] loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Crucifixion Prayer Hymn:
Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended, that man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected, O most afflicted!
Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee? Alas, MY treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee!
T’was I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee; I crucified thee.
For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation, thy mortal, sorrow, and thy life’s oblation;
Thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion, for MY salvation.
Station 7
The Tomb
Scripture:
Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony and his testimony is true. He knows that he tell the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.
(John 19: 31-35)
Setting:
Pontius Pilate sent out an assistant to make sure Jesus had died. His servant confirmed that Jesus was in fact, dead. A man named Joseph of Arimathea, a religious leader and member of the Sanhedrin, courageously came to ask Pontius Pilate to take Jesus’ body from the cross and bury it.
Reflection:
Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who had earlier visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. .(John 19:38:41)
They then sealed him in the tomb so that no one could take his body.…. But God had different plans….
Contemplation:
Because the tomb was made out of rock in a hillside, there was only one entrance. The tomb was sealed by a cord that stretched across a huge stone at the entrance, sealed at each end with clay. The Jewish Religious Leaders remembered that Jesus said he would be resurrected on the third day. In fear, they posted guards at the tomb to make sure that the body of Jesus would not be taken. What the Pharisees and religious leaders failed to realize is that no tomb, no rock, nor clay seal or any army of soldiers could prevent the Son of God from rising again!
Prayer:
Jesus, teach me what is meant for you to be placed in the tomb:
To have suffered greatly.
To be dead.
To be buried.
To be grieved.
To be loved.
To wait.
To put all of yourself into the loving hands of your Father.
Jesus, teach me what it means to be placed in the tomb. AMEN.
Station 8
Reflection
The death of Christ did not merely precede his resurrection- it was the price that obtained it. The Bible says he was raised not just after the blood-shedding, but by it. The wrath of God was satisfied with the suffering and death of Jesus. The holy curse against sin was fully absorbed. The obedience of Christ was completed to the fullest measure. The price of forgiveness was totally paid. The righteousness of God was completely vindicated. All that was left to accomplish was the public declaration of God’s endorsement. This He gave by raising Jesus from the dead.
(John Piper, The Passion of Jesus Christ)
Easter Praise-
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King,
Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Once he died, our souls to save,
Where’s thy victory, boasting grave?
Love’s redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the battle won,
Death in vain forbids him rise,
Christ hath opened paradise.
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
(a hymn of Charles Wesley)
Thank you for joining us for this event. It is our prayer that your Journey has touched you and reminded you just how much Jesus loved you, as you were on his mind and heart that day. We encourage you to attend an Easter service somewhere to hear the best part of the story:
His Resurrection!
Thank you to all those who helped us provide this event with donations, encouragement and prayer.
To God Be The Glory
