For this Good Friday I was feeling lead to meditate on the stations of the cross. I figured I would share it with you. I know you probably have done this before and seen many variations, but this is what I feel lead to share. Please read station and corresponding verses then follow with the consideration listed for each one.
1. Jesus condemned to die-Matt. 27:15-26
Consider how Jesus, after having been scourged & crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the cross.
2. Soldiers mock Jesus-Matt. 27:27-31
Consider the amount of ridicule Jesus suffered from the soldiers, there were approximately 200 soldiers in a legion. Compare this to the ridicule we shy away from today.
3. Simon helps Jesus carry his cross-Luke 23:26
Consider how the soldiers, watching with each step, Jesus becoming weaker & fearing he would die before the ultimate torture & humiliation of the cross, forced Simon of Cyrene to assist him.
4. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem-Luke 23:27-31
Consider how these women wept, with compassion, at the sight of Jesus, with blood streaming down his body, as he walked by them.
5. Jesus is stripped-Mark 15:22-24
Consider the force & violence which the soldiers employ to strip Jesus of his garment. The blood had started to dry making the garment stick to His raw flesh. As they ripped the fabric they also reopened wounds and tore more flesh.
6. Jesus nailed to the cross-Mark 15:25-32
Consider the pain of being beaten bloody & thrown onto a rough cut piece of lumber. Then imagine a spike driven through your hand and the other stretched to the point of dislocation before another spike is driven to hold it there. Then one foot placed on the other at an awkward unnatural angle to have a spike driven there. Then the cross is raised & dropped into a hole with a treacherous jolt.
7. Jesus crucified with criminals-Luke 23:32-33; 39-43
Consider the King of Kings, the Highest of High, hanging between 2 common criminals. He made himself nothing.
8. Jesus provides for his mother-John 19:25-27
Consider this, Jesus being fully God & fully human. Not only was He obedient to God even unto death, but also obedient to his earthly mother. As the oldest son, He made sure to provide for his mother by having John watch over her.
9. Holy of Holies is opened-Luke 23:44-46
Consider the moment of realization that comes over the people when the earth shakes, the sky darkens, & the veil is torn. The most sacred place was now revealed. What fear & trembling did they experience?
10. Jesus dies-John 19:28-30
Consider the sorrow of the crowd of believers, Jesus' family, & the Father because it had to be done.
11. Jesus taken down from the cross-Mark 15:42-45
Consider the fear, of Joseph of Arimathea, at having to ask Pilate for Christ's body. Imagine the care he gave in choosing & purchasing the cloth to wrap our Savior's body.
12. Jesus laid in the tomb-Luke 23:54-55
Consider the sorrow & pain that they experienced as they lay his body down. Imagine the sound of rolling the stone to the opening, like sealing a vault.
I'm not posting this to be preachy. I just want all the consider this day. We can't get to Sunday without going through Friday!
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