Stations of the Cross (14)

Jesus is placed in the tomb (Luke 23:50-54)

Luke 23:50–54 (NIV84)

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

Laid in a borrowed tomb,

awaiting the sign of Jonah -

the only sign that would be given to His generation -

that after three days and nights in the womb of the earth,

the belly of the fish, the grave and hell,

He would come forth to do His Father’s will -

Jesus the humble Son of God,

the exultant Son of Man,

the eternal contradiction,

the Blessed One.

The end is not yet.

Weeping endures for a night,

but joy comes in the morning.

The good news – ‘He is risen’ –

will burst on the Son-rise.

Therefore with joy shall we draw water

out of the wells of salvation.

When all is dark,

and Hope is buried,

it is hard to trust His words that promised,

before the pain:

He died that I might live.

He died that I might live.

In His death is my birth.

He died that I might live.

He died that I might live.

In His life is my life.

He died that I might live.

He died that I might live.

My Jesus! He died that I might live.

He died that I might live.

Stations of the Cross (13)

Jesus dies on the cross (Luke 23:44-46)

Luke 23:44–46 (NIV84)

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

As Jesus slowly sagged down

with more weight on the nails in the wrists,

excruciating, fiery pain shot along the fingers

and up the arms to explode in the brain.

As He pushed Himself upwards

to avoid this stretching torment,

He placed His full weight on the nail through His feet.

Again there was searing agony

as the nail tore through the nerves.

As the arms fatigued,

great waves of cramps swept through the muscles,

knotting them in deep relentless, throbbing pain.

In the words of the psalm foretelling the death of Messiah,

He cried: ‘My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’

Father God, You waited through the long hours of agony,

when He was robbed even of the sense of Your love,

Your presence,

when the sin and disease and hatred and darkness

overwhelmed Him so greatly.

Lord, He was wounded for my transgressions.

Lord, He was wounded for my transgressions.

Father, what love is this of His?

What love is this of Yours that His dying love reflects?

Your forgiveness for me,

as we gaze upon His sacrificial death,

 is as  truly an undeserved gift as the pardon,

It is mine if I will only receive:

Lord, He was wounded for my transgressions.

Lord, He was wounded for my transgressions.

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Stations of the Cross (12)

Jesus on the cross, his mother and his disciple (John 19:25-27)

John 19:25–27 (NIV84)

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Jesus saw His mother and his disciple,

love filled His heart,

in spite of His pain,

He felt for their pain,

and  was concerned for His mother.

Look after My mother, Jesus told His beloved disciple,

look after one another,

love one another,

as Jesus loves them.

In spite of Your pain and suffering,

You still find the place for us in Your Heart,

care for one another,

love one another,

as You have loved us.

Lord, teach us to love as You do.

Lord, teach us to love as You do.

Yours is a practical love,

not just words and empty promises,

not full of romantic notions.

Love that involves getting Your hands dirty,

suffering and sacrificial giving,

even laying down Your life for us.

Lord, teach us to love as You do.

Lord, teach us to love as You do.

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