Stations of the Cross – Part 3

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross is a way of praying with Jesus as we remember all he suffered for us. It is used by many Christians during Lent, Holy Week and especially on Good Friday.

This version follows the Bible readings which describe Jesus’ final hours.  For each station there is an image by Ally Barrett, a Bible reading and a question.

The questions are inspired by the American spiritual song “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?”  The question is an invitation to imagine yourself in the story.  What would you see, hear, smell?  How would you feel?  What would you be thinking?

The final line is a suggested focus for prayer.

You may want to use the spaces in the booklet to doodle or write your own prayers.

Artworks kindly shared by Rev Dr Ally Barrett (https://reverendally.org/clipart/) The Bible readings are taken from the New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.  The questions and prayer prompts were written by Susan West. The Opening and Closing Prayers are from Common Worship Times and Seasons © The Archbishops Council 2000

Opening Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
All   Amen.

10 Jesus is crucified – Luke 23: 32-34

³² Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. ³³ When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Remember all compelled to act under orders.

11 Jesus speaks to his mother – John 19: 25-27

²⁵ Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” ²⁷ And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

Were you there when Mary’s eyes filled with tears?
Remember all who feel helpless.

12 Jesus dies – Luke 23: 44-46

⁴⁴ By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. ⁴⁵ The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. ⁴⁶ Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.

Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Remember all living in the darkness of despair.

13 Jesus placed in the tomb – Matthew 27: 57-60

⁵⁷ As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, ⁵⁸ went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. ⁵⁹ Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. ⁶⁰ He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.

Were you there when they rolled the stone in place?
Remember all who see no way forward.

Holy Saturday…

Do not rush too quickly to the final station. Wait as Jesus’ friends waited…

14 Easter Day – Matthew 28: 5-7

⁵ Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. ⁷ And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

Were you there when he rose up from the dead?
Rejoice!

Closing Prayers

Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom
in the words our Saviour taught us.

The Lord’s Prayer is said.

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

You are worthy, O Lamb, for you were slain,
and by your blood you ransomed for God
saints from every tribe and language and nation;
you have made them to be a kingdom and priests
serving our God.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

To him who loves us
and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
and made us a kingdom of priests
to stand and serve before our God;
to him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honour, glory and might,
for ever and ever. Amen.