Station #13 - Jesus is laid in the tomb

Matthew 27v57-66 

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. 

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” 

“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. 

The religious leaders were afraid of Jesus’s predictions that he would rise from the dead and they weren’t taking any chances! But nothing would get in the way of God’s plan. Three days later, Jesus would rise from the dead.

Lord Almighty, your ways are perfect. I entrust my life to you afresh, knowing that you have a good plan. As I go from here, may the sorrow of Good Friday and the hope of Easter remain with me. May I always remember what you did for me on the cross, and thereby live in hope. Amen

Station #12 - Jesus dies on the cross

Luke 23 v44-49

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Darkness over the land in the middle of the day. All of nature seemed to mourn the death of God’s son. The death of Christ removed the final barrier between us and God, and provided a path through which we can confidently approach God. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3v16). What does this sacrifice mean to you?

Thank you God that because of your blood, my life is redeemed. I look forward to a time when there is no more death, no sickness, no enemy, no evil and no sin. Until then we pray for your help in making good decisions that care for people and protect our planet. Bless the Winstanley Estate we pray, all who live here and the future generations who will live here. Amen

Station #11 - Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each other

 John 19v25-27 

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,”  and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. 

Even while dying on the cross, Jesus took care of his family. God has given us families to care for each other. What family relationships or responsibilities do we need God’s help with? Invite God into that situation.

Thank you for family, Lord. Show me if there is anyone or anything I need to pay particular attention to in my family or friends today. Amen

Station #10 - Jesus promises His Kingdom to a repentant thief

 Luke 23v39-43 

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

It is never too late to turn to Jesus, who accepts us through faith in him alone. It has nothing to do with what we have done or who we are, Jesus is ready to welcome those who ask for God’s mercy.

Thank you for your extravagant love, God, who gives mercy to all who are truly repentant. I pray for…(name someone here who needs God’s mercy)… that they would know your mercy and your welcome into your kingdom. Amen

Station #9 - Jesus is crucified

Matthew 27v33-37 

They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 

Jesus refuses a drink offered to numb the pain. He suffered fully conscious, with a clear mind while his executors gambled for his clothes. They joked at the title ‘King of the Jews’ because they thought no king could be hung on a cross. In fact, Jesus was exactly that - Israel’s saviour, the Messiah, who was being sacrificed for the sins of the world.

Here at the foot of the cross I stand. Ashamed and broken. It was me who deserved punishment, not you, Lord. But you bore our sins in your body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. By your wounds we are healed. Thank you Jesus.

Station #8 - Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Luke 23v26-32 

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then 

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” 
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed 

Jesus, on his way to execution, sees the women weeping for him and he has compassion on them. He tells them not to weep for him but for themselves - he knew that 40 years later Jerusalem would fall to the Romans. We do not know what troubles lie ahead for us, but we can trust that God will be with us, with unending love and compassion for us.

Lord sometimes the troubles of this world seem so immense. We pray for those affected by war and grief. We look to you and pray, Lord, help us take courage as we trust in you. Amen

Station #7 - Jesus carries his cross

John 19v14-17

It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon.

“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.

But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.

Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).

After hours of being beaten, mocked, blindfolded and spat on, Jesus was given his cross to carry to the place where he would be crucified. Jesus said ‘if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’ (Matthew 16v24). What does taking up your cross and following Jesus look like for you?

You never said it would be easy, Lord. Following you takes perseverance and commitment. I pray that I would take up my cross and follow you Jesus, even when it is hard. Help me to remember, in those difficult times, that work for the Kingdom of God is always worth it. Amen

Station #6 - Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns

  Mark 15v16-19 

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  

Not only is Jesus condemned to death, but he is humiliated, mocked and tortured. He could have put an end to it but instead he chose this path of suffering on our behalf.

We thank you Jesus that you chose to suffer instead of us. We pray for Christians who are persecuted today, abducted, unjustly imprisoned, or killed for their faith. Help them to stay committed to you and to show love to their aggressors. Bring an end to these injustices. Amen

Station #5 - Jesus before Pilate

 John 18v28-40

Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”

“If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”

Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”

“But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfil what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.

Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”

They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.

Pilate didn’t like the religious leaders. He wasn’t interested in condemning Jesus because he knew Jesus was innocent. But he knew that another uprising might cost him his job so he chose to let the people decide. He asks, ‘What is Truth?’ When there is no basis for truth, there is no basis for moral right or wrong. Justice becomes whatever works or whatever helps those in power. On what do you base your sense of justice?

The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class, Father forgive.

The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own, Father forgive.

The greed which exploits the work of human hans and lays waste to the earth, Father forgive.

Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others, Father forgive.

Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee, Father forgive.

The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children, Father forgive.

The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God, Father forgive.

(Prayer from The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation)

Station #4 - Jesus is denied by Peter

 Matthew 26v69-75 

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. 

But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 

Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 

 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” 

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” 

 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” 

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. 

Peter was a close friend of Jesus who had declared he would never deny him. But under pressure, he buckled. Where are we prone to exaggerate the truth or even lie? Are we ashamed of Christ, or are we ready to tell others about him at any opportunity?

Jesus, thank you that you know everything about us, and you love us the same. Forgive me for when I have not been entirely honest with myself or others. Help me to live a life of integrity even when it makes me unpopular. Amen

Station #3 - Jesus is brought before the Sandhedrin

Matthew 26v57-68  

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. 

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. 

Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent. 

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 

 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.  What do you think?” 

“He is worthy of death,” they answered. 

Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” 

Jesus claims to be the Messiah. The religious leaders refused to even consider that Jesus’s words might be true. Am I so stuck in my ways, sure of who God is, that I can’t always see what He is showing me?

Lord, forgive me for being too self-assured sometimes, and for any religious pride in me. Please open my ears that I may know you better. Amen

Station #2 - Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested

Mark 14v43-52 

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 

“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled. 

A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. 

Betrayed by his friends. Jesus is arrested, and then everyone deserts him, so fast that one even leaves his clothes behind. Where are you in this scene, when the authorities come to arrest Jesus?

Dear Lord, You were misunderstood and betrayed by those closest to you. Help me to understand your ways, Jesus, and to live my life true to you. Amen

Station #1 - Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Mark 14v32-42

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 

Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” 

Jesus was aware of what doing the Father’s will would cost him, and yet he prayed, ‘Not what I will, but what you will’. Where in your life do you need to submit to God’s will, and say to Him ‘Your will, be done’?

Dear Lord, Full of mercy and compassion, forgive me for where I have said ‘my will, not Yours’. Help me to submit to your will and to trust you with my life, Jesus. Amen.