Dearest Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Today is Good Friday-the day Jesus walked the crowded streets of Jerusalem, bearing the cross upon which he would be crucified. Today is the day Jesus died on that cross for you and me to save us from our sins. Today is the day that our Lord sacrificed himself FOR US. Today is the day. We call it Good Friday – not because it was good for Jesus, because clearly there couldn’t have been anything worse. But, as St. Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 1:23; “…we preach Christ crucified…” We do that because even though this wasn’t a good Friday for Jesus, it is the BEST NEWS for us because by Christ taking our sins upon himself on the cross, we are given the hope of life to come. Life eternal. Life in heaven with Jesus and our loved ones forever. That is our hope. That is our promise. As it is often said, we wouldn’t have Easter resurrection without the cross of Good Friday. Please join with me today to share the Stations of the Cross whether in this form as fashioned by Pope John Paul II or in the traditional Stations of the Cross in our Sanctuary with directions on the narthex table. Please join us through the online resources or in person in the parking lot at 10am and 4:30pm for Good Friday worship. Watch on TV. Read in your Scriptures, Watch a movie that details the final events in Jesus’ earthly life. Know that this is the central focus of our faith and our hope-our very lives.My love is with you and my prayers are for each of you. Pr. Jen+
As Lutherans, while we respect pious legend, this more contemporary version of the Stations of the Cross really hits close to home for us. The more traditional version has a number of stations that do not directly relate to Scripture. This version was created by Pope John Paul II and it brings us a joy and opportunity to ponder and contemplate the final events in the life of Jesus our Savior that we know from Holy Scripture as we move closer to Easter.
Before each station: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
After each station:
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Opening Prayer: God of power and mercy, in love you sent your Son that we might be cleansed of sinand live with you forever. Bless us as we reflect on his suffering and death that we maylearn from his example the way we should go. We ask this through that same Christ, our Lord. Amen.
First Station: Jesus in the Garden of GethsemaneThen Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:36-41)Lord, grant us your strength and wisdom, that we may seek to follow your will in all things
Second Station: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is ArrestedThen, while [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.” He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. (Mark 14: 43-46) Lord, grant us the courage of our convictions that our lives may faithfully reflect the good news you bring
Third Station: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us,” but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.” (Luke 22: 66-71)
Lord, grant us your sense of righteousness that we may never cease to work
to bring about the justice of the kingdom that you promised.
Fourth Station: Jesus is Denied by PeterNow Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly. (Matthew 26: 69-75)Lord, grant us the gift of honesty that we may not fear to speak the truth even when difficult.
Fifth Station: Jesus is Judged by Pilate The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed…. Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barrabas… [and] handed [Jesus] over to be crucified.Sixth Station: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with ThornsSixth Station: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorn
(Mark 15: 1-5, 15)Lord, grant us discernment that we may see as you see, not as the world sees.
Sixth Station: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with ThornsThen Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said,”Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. (John 19: 1-3)Lord, grant us patience in times of suffering that we may offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise.
Seventh Station: Jesus Bears the Cross
Seventh Station: Jesus Bears the Cross
When the chief priests and the guards saw [Jesus] they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” … They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. (John 19: 6, 15-17)
Lord, grant us strength of purpose that we may faithfully bear our crosses each day.
When the chief priests and the guards saw [Jesus] they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I fin d no guilt in him.” … They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. (John 19: 6, 15-17)Lord, grant us strength of purpose that we may faithfully bear our crosses each day.
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