Welcome to your online journey to the cross!
This is a self-guided journey designed for you to reflect on the events of Jesus’ crucifixion in a unique and meaningful way. You are encouraged to set-up a quiet environment – turn off other distractions and focus on the words and videos below. Don’t rush. Take your time in reflection and prayer before you move on. If you’re doing this as a family or with kids, consider adding a coloring or meditative component so everyone moves through this together.
SUPPLIES
(you can do this without these items, but it will be more meaningful if you can participate in the actions)
3 sheets of Paper
Pen or pencil
A Coin
Red marker or crayon (if you do not have red, another color is fine)
INTRODUCTION
On the way to the Cross, Jesus made many personal detours to show us the way, the Truth and the Life.
On the way to the Cross, for just 30 silver coins, Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. Yet, in the midst of being personally attacked, Jesus calls Judas “Friend.”
On the way to the Cross, Jesus was arrested and put on trial. While he was whipped, beaten, and spit upon, he listened to the world through throw insults as majestic claim. The angry mob made it very personal.
On the way to the Cross, Jesus would feel the weight of the cross, accomplishing his personal destiny by doing the will of the Father
On the cross, Jesus’ hands and feet were nailed. Yet he personally prayed for those who were hurting him.
On the cross, Jesus would hang and suffer for 6 hours. And he would die. The perfect person. The perfect sacrifice.
The cross seemed like a personal victory for those who opposed Jesus.
The cross seemed like a personal tragedy for those who followed Jesus.
After the cross they placed his body in a tomb. But the grave couldn’t hold Jesus. He rose from the dead. Jesus made it personal for you and me by paying our price and offering us eternal life.
Will you let the story of the cross go in one ear and out the other when it comes to the claims of Christ and what he did for you? Or – will you make it personal?
STATION 1 – Prayer
Prayer is a powerful way of partnering with God in achieving his purposes. In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus’ prayed to his Father and said: “Let your Kingdom come; let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This should be our prayer too.
Prayer is not just about asking for God’s blessings – though we are welcome to do so – but it is about communication with the living God. Without communication, relationships fall apart. So, too, our relationship with God suffers when we do not communicate with Him.
REFLECT
How have you experienced God’s presence in your life?
If you’re taking this journey with others – wait here until all are ready to go to the next station.
STATION 2 – The Garden
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:39-46)
REFLECT
Jesus knew all the pain and suffering he was about to experience. Can you sense his anguish? Do you feel his struggle? Yet he still says “not my will, but yours be done”.
ACTION
On the first sheet of paper, write down something in your life are you are struggling with right now. Fold that paper and put it in your pocket or keep it on your lap.
If you’re taking this journey with others – wait here until all are ready to go to the next station.
STATION 3 – Betrayed by Judas
The one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.(Matthew 26:14-16)
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. (Matthew 26:47-50)
ACTION
Hold the coin in our hands as you think about the reflection questions.
REFLECT
- How much is your integrity worth?
- Would you betray a friend for twenty thousand dollars? Is there a dollar amount you would?
- Why do we seem to compromise our values so quickly for money?
If you’re taking this journey with others – wait here until all are ready to go to the next station.
STATION 4 – Condemned by Pilate
Hit play on this audio file while you read.
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
(Matthew 27:11-26)
Scroll up to stop the audio file.
REFLECT
- What was it like listening to the crowd? Were you annoyed?
- Can you sympathize with Pilate wanting to just give in?
- In what ways do we give in and take the easy and lazy road even if it means being part of injustice?
- Think of the areas in your life where you act like Pilate – and participate in injustice because it’s easier than fighting for what is right.
If you’re taking this journey with others – wait here until all are ready to go to the next station.
STATION 5 – Denied by Peter
REFLECT
Sometimes our betrayal is not motivated by financial gain but rather social acceptance… The greatest single cause of atheism in the world is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, and walk out the door and deny him with their lifestyles… that is what an unbelieving world finds unbelievable. (Brennan Manning)
Think of times you have denied Jesus with your words, actions, or non-action.
ACTION
On the 2nd sheet of paper, write down the phrase “I Do Not Know Him” as a symbol of the times you, like Peter, have denied Christ.
If you’re taking this journey with others – wait here until all are ready to go to the next station.
STATION 6 – Whipped and Mocked
But he (Pilate) had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26)
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. (Matthew 27:27-31a)
ACTION
Hold up the 3rd sheet of paper and take the red marker/crayon and strike the paper to make a red mark.
REFLECT
Jesus taught us to love our enemies and to offer the other cheek when struck on one. He demonstrated that he really meant what he said by accepting his Passion so willingly. Christ´s humility and forgiveness even towards his adversaries is infinite.
That is an invitation to us. That kind of love is not just what Christianity is meant to be what humanity is about. As followers of Christ, how do we act when accused of offenses we did not commit?
Are we humble enough not to strike back?
If you’re taking this journey with others – wait here until all are ready to go to the next station.
STATION 7 – Nailed to the Cross
“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:33-34)
REFLECT
Jesus’ talked a lot about loving enemies and forgiving others. But here at the cross he goes beyond words and ideals and teaches us with an example. With the nail digging into his flesh and the hammer hovering, He offers forgiveness.
In your life, who are the soldiers with nails and hammers that you could extend forgiveness to?
If you’re taking this journey with others – wait here until all are ready to go to the next station.
STATION 8 – It Is Finished
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. (Luke 23:44-49)
REFLECT
- What would you say to a friend… who disowned you?
- What would you say to a friend… who swore he didn’t know you?
- What would you say to a friend… who hammered the nails?
If you’re taking this journey with others – wait here until all are ready to go to the next station.
STATION 9 – Letting Go
When we went under the water, we left sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace — a new life in a new land!
Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life — no longer at sin’s every beck and call!
ACTION
Take the folded paper you put in your pocket or on your lap in Station 2. Let it symbolize every sinful attitude and action, all that you wish you weren’t, the brokenness you have experienced, and the brokenness you have caused.
Now rip it up. Keep ripping it until it is nothing but a pile of scraps.
We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That’s what Jesus did. Sin does not get a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Sin can’t tell you how to live. After all, you’re not living under that old tyranny any longer. You’re living in the freedom of God.
If you’re taking this journey with others – wait here until all are ready to go to the next station.
STATION 10 – Grace
While everyone desperately needs it, grace is not about us. Grace is fundamentally a word about God: his un-coerced initiative and pervasive, extravagant demonstrations of care and favor. Michael Horton writes, “In grace, God gives nothing less than Himself. Grace, then, is not a third thing or substance mediating between God and sinners, but is Jesus Christ in redeeming action.”
REFLECT
Easter…
- is about a new covenant between God and you
- is about righteousness given not earned
- is about his faithful forgiveness
- is about his reckless grace
- is about no more condemnation
- is about remembering – your sins are forgiven
Please pause to reflect on your journey here and take that into the week ahead. The coming days lead us deeper into the path Jesus took to the Cross – eventually bringing us to the triumph of Easter Sunday.
Easter week – Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and of course Easter – will be posted on our website.
If you’re not familiar with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church – we welcome you – return to our website each week to learn more, be part of our virtual church services, and get to know the Christ that is there with us – today and always.