The Way of the Cross

On: April 7, 2020

In: The Way of the Cross, Worship

Tagged: Easter Season, Jesus' Journey, The Way of the Cross

Journey through the Way of the Cross, Jesus’ journey from condemnation to death.

Jesus is condemned tp death Matthew 27:22-23 What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate, and the multitudes cry out. “Crucify him!” He stands alone. Although he has done so much to help so many, not one person comes forward now to speak in his defense. Even Peter, his most prominent disciple, has denied knowing him. Jesus, who is innocent, is being condemned to death by a crowd that is unfair and unmerciful. However, Jesus makes no attempt to explain himself or plead his case. Instead he surrenders completely and hands himself over to the care of God:, his father. Jesus, teach us how to trust in God, even in those times we feel the most alone, abandoned by friends and misunderstood by strangers.

Jesus carries his cross Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Having been condemned to death by crucifixion, Jesus must now endure the pain and indignity of carrying the heavy cross, his means of execution, to the crucifixion site. This was designed to add another level of humiliation to an already tortuous punishment. For us, however, the cross is more than an execution tool. It represents all of our sins, past, present, and future. It is also symbolic of all the suffering humankind must endure. Jesus takes up his cross without self-pity. He does not break down and refuse to bear the burden as he could do, considering that his death is assured. Instead, he lifts up the cross and in doing so lifts up all of our sins and suffering. Jesus, help us face our struggles with courage and dignity, as we remember your acceptance of the burden of the cross.

Jesus falls the first time Matthew 9:5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? The cross is heavy and unwieldy, and Jesus is becoming weak. Soldiers taunt him as he walks, making his burden all the heavier. Exhausted, Jesus falls to the ground. He feels he will not be able to lift himself back up and continue the journey but, miraculously, he does. Like Jesus, we cannot help but fall, through our sins and failings. As Jesus struggles to stand up and re-shoulder the cross, we are reminded that our sins are forgiven, and we may find the strength to pick ourselves back up as well. Jesus, help us overcome our weaknesses so that we may get up again each time we stumble in life.

Jesus meets his mother, Mary Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” As Jesus travels, weighed down by the cross, he catches sight of his mother, Mary, in the crowd. As their gazes meet, the suffering of each is mirrored in the eyes of the other. In one sense, the presence and acknowledgement of his mother is comforting to Jesus. This is the first time in his journey that someone has shown she cares about him. His is not alone in his suffering. But this very fact also serves to enhance his suffering – his situation causes pain not only to himself, but also to his mother. Her heart breaks as she watches her son march to his death. Jesus, teach us to accept the comfort and empathy of those who care most about us, just as you and your mother shared the burden of your suffering as you made your way to Calvary.

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. The soldiers, wearying of Jesus’ slow progress, grab a man at random from the crowd. His name is Simon of Cyrene, and he is on his way home from the country. The soldiers press him into service, forcing him to help Jesus carry the cross. This must certainly be a surprising and dismaying detour from what Simon had planned for the rest of his day, but he has no choice but to lay down his own concerns and help Jesus carry the cares of the world. Jesus, teach us to look beyond our own troubles to aid others who are suffering.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ A woman emerges from the hostile crowd. She reaches out and wipes the blood and sweat from Jesus’ face. When she is through, she finds Jesus’ image imprinted upon her veil. This woman’s brave act of love and devotion is performed in direct opposition to the mood of the rest of the crowd. The face of Jesus on her veil reminds us that eaeh time we help someone in need, we are serving Jesus as well. Jesus, teach us to recognize your face in each person who is in need of our help.

Jesus falls the second time Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Again, in utter exhaustion, Jesus falls. This time it is more difficult for him to muster the energy to rise up and resume his journey. As Jesus struggles back to his feet, we examine the temptation within ourselves to give in to despair. When our troubles do not resolve themselves right away, it is easy to lose patience and discard our last shreds of hope. Even Jesus has experienced these feelings. Jesus, renew our strength as exhaustion threatens to take bold of our spirits. Help us cboose hope instead of despair.

8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem Luke 23:27-28 A group of women in the crowd follow Jesus and weep for him. In the midst of his suffering, Jesus speaks to them, reminding them of all he has taught them. This group of followers is not made up of prominent members of society, or even Jesus’ disciples. No, these are women, who were considered inferior. As he travels the way of the cross, Jesus connects with his followers and shows solidarity with all who are poor and marginalized. Jesus suffers alongside all who suffer. Jesus, millions of people around the world are poor, hungry, and forgotten – some in distant countries, and some here at home. Help us connect with the poor and marginalized through your example.

Jesus falls a third time Matthew 11 :28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Jesus has been stretched to his outer limits. He has no reserves left to draw upon and falls a third time. It is at this point, when Jesus’ strength is tapped out, that the grace of God is most evident. Jesus rises to his feet once more. As we walk the way of the cross with Jesus, we can identify the times in our lives when we were buoyed up by God’s grace, even when we thought we could not continue another moment. Jesus, teach us to allow God’s grace to lighten our earthly burdens.

Jesus’ clothes are taken away Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Jesus and the crowd have arrived at Calvary. The soldiers strip Jesus of his clothes and gamble for them. Once again, Jesus is alone and misrepresented, treated as less than human. Even his tom and soiled clothes are assigned more value than is Jesus’ life. As the crowd mocks him, crying “All hail, king of the Jews,” let us examine ourselves, acknowledging all the times we have treated others as less than human. Jesus, you suffered the greatest indignities for the sake of our sins. Help us to address the human being in each and every person we meet, no matter how insignificant to our lives. Teach us to treat everyone as a child of God.

Jesus is nailed to the cross Psalm 22:15-16 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. The soldiers take Jesus’ hands and drive nails through them, right into the wood of the cross. They do the same with his feet. The cross is then raised up so that Jesus is suspended between the two criminals. At the same time, the insults continue: “Come down from the cross, if you are the son of God!” It is impossible for us to imagine the excruciating pain Jesus feels, both physically and emotionally. One of the scariest and most isolating aspects of pain is that it is felt solely by the one receiving it. But whenever we suffer, whether we ache with physical ailments or with grief, fear or hopelessness, we know that Jesus understands. He knows debilitating pain and mental agony, and he suffers them for our sake. Jesus, when we are blinded by the pain that is an inevitable part of living, please help us to see that you are right beside us, sharing in our suffering. We are not alone in our pain.

Jesus dies on the cross Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Hours pass, and the sky grows dark. As Jesus’ life ebbs away, a small group of his followers huddles nearby. Once darkness falls, Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Then he cries out again and dies. He breathes no more. This is Jesus’ ultimate identification with the human condition. Death awaits all of us, with no exception. But, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we no longer need to fear it. We can face death, knowing that Jesus has been there before us. Jesus has shown us how to die. Jesus, the idea of our own death fills us with great dread. Help us to understand that, when you died for us, you shined light into the shadow of death.

The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus is dead. The spectacle is over, and the crowds have dispersed. Only Jesus’ closest companions remain. His body is gently removed from the cross and placed into the lap of his mother. This small group of devoted followers can barely believe that their journey has ended this way, after all they have been through with Jesus. But here is his lifeless body, cradled in his mother’s arms. Mary recalls the night of his birth, when she cradled her son in the stable. To those who survive, the reality of death is bewildering – a loved one who was once here is now absent. It is important to grieve among others who are also grieving. As we mourn Jesus’ death alongside his family and friends, we join the circle of all those across space and time who mourn the loss of loved ones. Jesus, although we know what your father has in store for us, we still find it difficult to accept the death of someone we love. Please help us to find comfort among others who mourn.

Jesus is laid in the tomb Luke 23:52:53 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. A follower of Jesus, a rich man named Joseph from Arimethea, convinces Pontius Pilate to let him take Jesus ‘ body. He and the otller mourners prepare the body for burial and then lay it in a provided by Joseph. A large stone is rolled against the entrance of the tomb. This truly seems like the end, even to Jesus’ faithful disciples. Jesus has died and been sealed into bis tomb. He promised salvation from death, but now he himself has died. Though they do not love him any less, it seems like failure. They cannot anticipate the empty tomb. We know the rest of the story – the empty tomb, the risen Christ – and yet, like the disciples, we still have trouble anticipating the empty tomb. Jesus, teach us to live in the knowledge that you died so that we may live. We tend to focus on our troubles, living in the shadow of the sealed tomb. Do not let us lose sight of the fact that you rose from the dead, and in doing so, destroyed death.

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