I must say that walking the Stations of the Cross was one place as a child in the Catholic church where I felt walking IN faith, to feel my faith, to feel the drama, to witness the strength and determination of Jesus. To see.
Now I walk NOT to see but TO KNOW.
The Good Friday’s of my youth were with my catholic school taking a short walk up to church. One of the very vivid memories was the reading of the Passion scriptures – and that ALL the priests showed up to participate in the service at the same time – that really spoke volumes to me of the importance of the day – and the importance of remembering the day – remembering the walk of Jesus.
It was a Good Friday to remember. For Jesus to remember and save us is good. For us to remember Jesus is good, to appreciate the Passion of Christ – not that we could ever grasp the enormity of His Sacrifice.
Jesus made a commitment to us before we were even born. This also means He walks with us today. To walk while pondering Jesus allows the Holy Spirit to place us, and as believers, we can and should walk TO our stations, FOR the sake of cross, ALLOWING ourselves to be stationed not stationary. STATIONING ourselves in readiness and witness.
The Stations of the Cross presented WITH the scriptures let us know that He wanted us to know His journey. He still does…
Turns out that some of the stations are imagined “traditional thought” (Jesus falling and the woman wiping his face) but most stations of the cross are scripture derived. I was pondering this during this Holy Week, really wanting to keep and know truth over tradition, when today I “found” a noontime outdoor “Stations of the Cross” service near my work. WOW, I “picked it” from google maps and websites but I am SURE the Holy Spirit knew all along where to send me to walk, because I LEARNED a NEW WAY to walk the Stations of the Cross. This church service walked a “new” 1990’s version of the Stations, based on Pope John Paul II’s “Biblical Stations”. I was FASCINATED – and appreciative – and IMPRESSED that the Holy Spirit KNEW my pondering – and we (about 50 to 75) walked in the beautiful sunshine among outdoor stations, set up as an eagle scout project.
Before I left, I went to marvel at the stained glass windows – the color and symbolism – the beauty. The Lamb with a sword – that was the window that spoke to me – the Lamb of God whose Sacrifice took away the Sins of the world.
What a Good Friday to remember that He Has! “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10
I appreciate the old time Stations, but what I really am excited about is when we will be STATIONED in witness around His Throne in Heaven. In the meantime, everyone take your stations today for witness!
Amen
Biblical Way of the Cross – stations:
- Jesus prays in the garden
- Jesus is betrayed and arrested
- Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin
- Peter denies knowing Jesus
- Jesus is condemned by Pilate
- Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns
- Jesus takes up his cross
- Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus
- Jesus meets the weeping women
- Jesus is crucified
- Jesus promises paradise to the crucified thief
- Jesus cares for his mother
- Jesus dies
- Jesus is buried
Debbie Upper 