Station 14 Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin. As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. (Luke 23:53-56 NLT)

Now they come to take his lifeless body down. The work is done. We watch as the limp 33 year old body of Jesus is wrapped in haste and taken to that borrowed tomb. The Sabbath is fast approaching so there is only time to partially embalm it. They'll come back on Sunday morning to finish the job. He's not going anywhere. A huge stone is rolled across - sealing the entrance. Sadness descends.

PRAY: Lord Jesus - even though we know this is not really the end of your story - we will leave you here for now. Humanly speaking we would like to rush on to the events of Sunday morning but just for now - we'll wait. We need to allow the full weight of this moment to sink in. Just now we choose to feel the searing pain and loss - the sting of death. For all you did for all of us - we give you glory and honor and praise - now and forever. For your suffering and your death on our behalf - we are forever grateful. Amen.

Station 13 - Jesus Dies

By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” (Luke 23:44-47 NLT)

It had been almost six hours now. Jesus has been hanging in the searing afternoon sun long enough for the cross to complete its horrific work. The hour has come. The prisoner has no strength left. None. His legs and arms are useless leaving no way for Jesus to catch even - one - more - breath. So with one last gasp he tells his Father he is coming home. He gasps and breathes his last and his head drops and his life is gone…

PRAY: Lord Jesus - my Savior - who by your sacrifice provided the one full perfect payment for the sins of the world - I am in awe of the price you paid for my sins. I will never be able to repay you. Except with my love. When I see the cross I cannot help but love you back! I give you my life in response to the greatest gift of all - your life. In Jesus' name Amen.

Station 12 - Jesus Cares for His Mother

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Cleopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25-27 NLT)

We watch another amazing moment on the cross as Jesus, wracked with pain and struggling for breath, stops to speak to his Mom. Clearly Jesus still has enough time and energy left to be a good son. With a few simple words Jesus provides for the care of his only earthly parent as his life ebbs away. In these holy moments we watch as a faithful son takes care of some family business. Jesus passes the care of his much-loved mother to his best friend John.  Here near the end, Jesus makes sure the one who nursed and nurtured him and now had stayed nearby when virtually everyone else hid - is properly cared for.  I’m not leaving you alone mother - I am passing your care to our broader family and John will make sure you’re OK.  What a good son he is.

PRAY:

Lord Jesus we remember that you were not only the Son of God, but you were also the son of Mary. She loved her miracle baby boy and watched and cheered you on for your entire 33 years and you loved her in return.  Here at the last you remind us that in Christ we are all family and should care for each other.  Lord please help us show our love for You, in the way we love your family especially widows and those without other family.  May we be family to each other. In your name Amen.

Station 11 - Jesus Promises Paradise to the Penitent Thief

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43 NLT)

Three crosses stand alone against the sky. The middle cross bears the innocent son of God while those on either side hold common criminals condemned by their own evildoing.  We listen as one condemned criminal taunts Jesus with his dying breath, but the other speaks in Jesus’ defense.  Then this repentant crucified crook simply asks that the Lord will remember him. Not much of a sinner's prayer really. Barely a gasp of hope. But it is enough for Jesus. "Sure. You can come with me today to Paradise." What a promise - to a desperate criminal who only had a few hours of life left in him. This man has no time to pay Jesus back or to live a life of noble service as restitution for his crimes. But still his desperate cry was good enough for Jesus.  Amazing!

PRAY:

So we thank you Lord that you offer eternal life to all who ask humbly in faith no matter how far gone we are. Heaven is for broken repentant people like us. So we pray Lord Jesus forgive us all and in your great mercy take us to be with you in Paradise.  Remember each of us.  In the name of the name that is above all other names we pray. AMEN

Station 10 - Jesus is Crucified

When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:33-38 NLT)

We watch as the cross is now laid on the ground and prisoner is lashed to it. Holding him in place while huge sharp spikes are hammered through his hands and feet. Shockwaves rack his body as the cross is slowly lifted upright - then suddenly dropped into place. Pushing down on his feet and pulling up with his arms the crucified one gasps for air hour after hour. What is happening on the cross is cosmic - an eternal transaction is taking place. We stand in awe.

PRAY:  Jesus - We cannot ever say thank you enough for all the agony you endured for us.  Suffering servant,  you took our punishment and our pain upon yourself along with the burden of all of our sins.  We can only imagine the sheer weight of it all.  Thank you for enduring it on our behalf.   Amen