The Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross

[We’re grateful for the beautiful art created by Scott Erickson @scottthepainter]

The “Stations of the Cross” mark some of the critical scenes in the final moments of Christ’s ministry – his suffering and his death.

You’re invited to enter into this story by viewing these images and reading these portions of scripture.

As you spend time with this art and with these words from the Bible, remember this: Jesus suffered and died for the sin of the whole world. Every single person. Including you.

Jesus in the Garden:  “Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”
-Matt 26:38-39
Jesus Betrayed and Arrested: “Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them.”
-Luke 22:3-5
Jesus is Condemned: The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
– Matthew 26:59-67

Jesus is Denied by Peter: “Peter said, ‘I swear by God, I don’t know the man.’ And immediately the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crow, you will deny me three times.’ And he went away, crying bitterly. -Matthew 27:74  “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
-Mark 8:34-35
Jesus is Judged by Pilate: “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 27:22-26
Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns: “Then they twisted a crown of thorns and set it on his head…then they knelt in front of him and mocked him.”
– Matthew 27:29
Jesus Takes Up His Cross: “He was despised and rejected–a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought the troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins, but he was wounded and crushed for our sins, He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.”
– Isaiah 53:3-6
Jesus is Helped by Simon to Carry His Cross: A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
– Mark 15:21-24
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem: “A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
– Luke 23:27-31
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross: “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”
– Colossians 2:14
Jesus Promised His Kingdom to the Repentant Thief: “One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
– Luke 23:39-43)
Jesus Entrusts Mary and John to Each Other: Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
– John 19:25-27
Jesus Dies on the Cross: “By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.” 
– Luke 23:44-49
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb: “He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins–that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.”
– Isaiah 53:7-9

We rest here. We wait. We grieve Christ’s death. We allow ourselves to feel the loss and sadness and profound brokenness of this world.

But we do not grieve as those who have no hope. For in a few days, Jesus will rise!

Jesus Rises: “Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”
-Hebrews 13:20-21
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10 Comments

  1. JUAN M SARMIENTO

    Wonderful job with artwork and message. Very meaningful! Can’t wait to get together again.

    • Nathan Oates Author

      Miss you Juan. Hope you’re well. Glad you viewed the art!

  2. Kathi Gildone

    Such a meaningful family experience. Well done Emmaus Community Church. Grateful to call you home ♥

  3. Mark and Teresa

    Stations are all very moving, horrible of Jesus went through, so We can have Eternal life. Nice job on the artwork.

    • Angela Henning

      So glad you were there, Marla. It was good talking to you.

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