Good Friday, March 29: Stations of the Cross

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
take me along that holy way
you once took to your death.
Take my mind, my memory,
above all, my reluctant heart,
and let me see what once you did
for love of me and all the world.

It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Mark 15:25-32)

(Jesus) did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (John 10:14-15, 18)

Jesus extends his hand and a man takes a long heavy nail and feeling for the space just above the wrist, he feels for the place to drive the nail. Once finding the spot, he raises the hammer high and sends it crashing down on the head of the nail driving it through Jesus flesh and into the wooden cross beam below. He will repeat this with the other hand and then the feet. All the while Jesus is mocked, his identify denied, his power still masked. He is there by choice; he is enduring this agony for something far more precious to him than comfort, notoriety, earthly power or riches. There is a joy for which Jesus reaches that exceeds all he is currently enduring.

Spend sometime pondering the joy that fuels Jesus’ desire and ability to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2). What is this joy? Spend some time considering what you would say to Jesus as he is nailed to the cross. What does Jesus say to you and how are you a part of the very joy Jesus is seeking?

Closing

I adore You, O Christ, and bless You, for by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world and You have redeemed me.