Stations of The Cross

We have been journeying with Jesus on His way to the cross and now we finish the journey which takes us to calvary.

To bring home this journey I want to take us through what is called The Stations of The Cross, the Biblically not the traditional stations.

Station 1

Jesus is condemned to death — Mark 15:1-15

Mark 15:1–15 NASB 2020

1 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders, scribes, and the entire Council immediately held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led Him away, and turned Him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate questioned Him: “So You are the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is as you say.” 3 And the chief priests started accusing Him of many things. 4 But Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You offer nothing in answer? See how many charges they are bringing against You!” 5 But Jesus said nothing further in answer, so Pilate was amazed. 6 Now at the Passover Feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. 7 And the one named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder in the revolt. 8 And the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. 9 Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. 12 And responding again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” 13 They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” 14 But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” 15 Intent on satisfying the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Jesus is condemned to death. His death warrant is signed, and who signed it but I, when I commit sin. The innocent suffered for the guilty.

My sins, the contrary and impetuous feelings are but the blows and the blasphemies with which the soldiers and people shouted at Him, to carry out the sentence which Pilate pronounced.

Station 2

Jesus takes up His cross — Mark 15:20

Mark 15:20 NASB 2020

20 And after they had mocked Him, they took the purple cloak off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him.

A strong, and therefore heavy cross, for it is strong enough to bear Him on it when He arrives at Calvary, is placed upon His torn shoulders.

Remember that the heaviness of the cross is the weight of all our sins. As it fell upon His neck and shoulders.

Station 3

Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene — Mark 15:21

Mark 15:21 NASB 2020

21 And they compelled a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to carry His cross.

At length the strength of Jesus fails utterly, and He is unable to proceed. Those leading Jesus see a stranger who seems strong enough one Simon of Cyrene.

Station 4

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem — Luke 23:27-31

Luke 23:27–31 NASB 2020

27 Now following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and grieving for Him. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are those who cannot bear, and the wombs that have not given birth, and the breasts that have not nursed.’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

At the sight of the sufferings of Jesus the women of Jerusalem are pierced through with grief, so much so that they cry out and bewail Him. carless what happens to them by doing so.

Jesus turns to them and says, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me, but weep for yourselves and for you children.”

Station 5

Jesus is Crucified — Mark 15:22

Mark 15:22 NASB 2020

22 Then they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.

Mark 15:39

Mark 15:39 NASB 2020

39 And when the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw that He died in this way, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

The cross is laid on the ground, and Jesus stretched upon it, and then, swaying to and fro, it is, after much exertion, jerked into the hole ready to receive it, and fastened to it. As the savage executioners drive the huge nails, He offers Himself as the ransom for the sins of the world. The blows are struck, and His blood flows.

There He hung, a perplexity to the multitude, a terror to evil spirits, the wonder, the awe, the joy, the adoration of the Angels!

Station 6

Jesus dies on the cross — Mark 15:23-37

Mark 15:23–37 NASB 2020

23 And they tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it. 24 And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man would take. 25 Now it was the third hour when they crucified Him. 26 The inscription of the charge against Him read, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 27 And they crucified two rebels with Him, one on His right and one on His left. 29 Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save Yourself by coming down from the cross!” 31 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself! 32 Let this Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him. 33 When the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “eloi, eloi, lema sabaktanei?” which is translated, “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And when some of the bystanders heard Him, they began saying, “Look! He is calling for Elijah!” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.” 37 But Jesus let out a loud cry, and died.

Jesus hung there for three hours. During this time He prayed for His murderers, promised Paradise to the penitent robber, and committed His mother to the guardianship of His beloved disciple John. Then when all was finished, and He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.

The worst is over. The Messiah is dead and departed. the most tender, the most affectionate, the holiest of the sons of men is gone. Jesus is dead, and with His death our sin is forgiven.

Station 7

Jesus is laid in the tomb — Mark 15:42-47

Mark 15:42–47 NASB 2020

42 When evening had already come, since it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself also waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Now Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. 45 And after learning this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb which had been cut out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching to see where He was laid.

The friends of Jesus take Him and place Him in an unused tomb. They close it safely, till the hour comes for His resurrection.

Leave in Silence!