Welcome
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Good Friday at CCF. You are about to partake in an incredible experience: THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS.
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS is a self-guided prayer journey where you will have the opportunity to “walk in the footsteps of Jesus” as He journeyed to the cross. At each station, you will be invited to read a Scripture, reflect on what happened to Jesus on that first Good Friday, and to say a prayer.
As you journey on the way of the cross, you will hear music that we hope will draw you into the experience. Additionally, we hope that the still and video images that we provide will serve as hooks for your spiritual frame of reference.
At the end of your journey, you will be invited to take communion and to light and leave the candle you were given as you spend one more time in prayer, reflecting not only on the death of Jesus, but remembering that He is risen and looking forward to celebrating His resurrection on Easter Sunday.
We pray that walking THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS is a spiritually significant event in your life and is a wonderful start to your Easter weekend.
Because He lives…
As You Enter…
Open your time at THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS in prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, take me along that holy way you once took to your death, Take my mind, my memory, above all my reluctant heart, and let me see what once you did for love of me and all the world. Amen.
Station 1: Jesus Is Condemned
Scripture Reading (Mt. 27:11-26)
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Yes, it is as you say,” 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 feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew it was out of envy 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 Christ?” 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, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Reflection:
Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate. Nobody speaks up for you. Nobody helps defend you. Sometimes I feel abandoned and afraid. Sometimes I too, feel like I am treated unfairly or blamed for things unfairly. I have a hard time when people criticize me at home or at work. Help me be grateful for what you did for me. Help me to accept criticism and unfairness as you did, and not complain. Help me pray for those who have hurt me.
Prayer:
O mangled victim of my sins! O suffering Jesus! I have deserved those bloody scourges, that cruel sentence of death; and yet you died for me that I should live for you. I resign myself into your hands. Let love take possession of my heart; let my eyes behold with contempt everything that can alienate my affections from you; let my ears be ever attentive to your word; let me through this painful journey accompany you. Amen.
Station 2: Jesus Carries His Cross
Scripture Reading (Jn. 19:5-17)
When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”
As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”
But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.”
The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”
When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”
When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon.
“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.
But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”
“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.
“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.
Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).
Reflection:
Jesus, as you accepted your cross, you knew you would carry it to your death on Calvary. You knew it wouldn’t be easy, but you accepted it and carried it just the same. I contemplate the wood of that cross. I imagine how heavy it is. I reflect upon all it means that Jesus is carrying it. I sometimes feel like I’m not appreciated. Sometimes I feel as if I accept more responsibility than I need to. I can feel sorry for myself, even though the crosses others carry are much larger than my own. In my self-pity, I don’t reach out to help.
Prayer:
Jesus, my sin loaded your shoulders with the burden of the cross. I now, O Savior of the world, ask your forgiveness and repent, putting my sins in the past. By your grace I am determined to live for you each day. Let me only glory in the cross of my Lord, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. Amen.
Station 3: Simon Helps Carry The Cross
Scripture Reading (Mk. 15:21)
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.
Reflection:
Jesus, the soldiers are becoming impatient. This is taking longer than they wanted it to. They are afraid you won’t make it to the hill where you will be crucified. As you grow weaker, they grab a man out of the crowd and make him help carry your cross. He was just watching what was happening, but all of a sudden he is helping you carry your cross. Sometimes I try to do as little as I can and still get by. Others might need my help, but I ignore their needs. Even when I’m asked to help, I sometimes claim to be too busy.
Prayer:
Suffering Jesus, your torture and journey toward your execution was incredibly cruel. You were almost dead before you ever got to the cross. It took another, just to get you to Mount Calvary. Simon, coming in from the country, was pressed to carry your cross. Did he come to know you, Lord, walking by your side? By your meeting with the man from Cyrene, may we find you in the stranger, and in the needy we meet. Help me to remember your suffering for me, Lord, and let me accompany you to Mount Calvary today. May I live and die in you. Amen.
Station 4: Jesus Meets The Women Of Jerusalem
Scripture Reading (Lk. 23:27-31)
A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then
“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
or if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Reflection:
Jesus, as you carry your cross you see a group of women along the road. As you pass by you see they are sad. You stop to spend a moment with them, to offer them some encouragement. Although you have been abandoned by your friends and are in pain, you stop and try to help them. Sometimes I act like a child. I become so absorbed in myself and what I’d like that I forget about the needs of others. I take them for granted, and often ignore their needs. Help me think more about others. Help me remember that others have problems, too. Help me respond to them even when I’m busy or preoccupied with my own problems.
Prayer:
My Jesus, you comforted the women of Jerusalem who wept to see you bruised and torn. Comfort my soul as I wrestle with your suffering. Help me to be aware of the needs around me, as you were. May I walk with you this day. Amen.
Station 5: Jesus Is Stripped
Scripture Reading (Jn. 19:23-24)
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
“Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.”
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said,
“They divided my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.”
So this is what the soldiers did.
Reflection:
The soldiers notice you have something of value. They remove your cloak and throw dice for it. Your wounds are torn open once again. Part of the indignity is to be crucified naked. You are completely stripped of any pride. The wounds on your back are torn open again. You experience the ultimate vulnerability of the defenseless. No shield or security protects you. As they stare at you, your eyes turn to heaven. Some of the people in the crowd make fun of you. They tease you and challenge you to perform a miracle for them to see. They’re not aware that you’ll perform the greatest miracle of all! Help me to keep myself pure and clean. Help me say things that build up the people around me. Help me overcome worldly desires that I may become more like Jesus. Help me set a good example for others to follow.
Prayer:
They divided your garments and cast lots for your clothes. My Jesus, stripped of thy garments and drenched with gall, strip me of love for things of earth, and make me loathe all that savors of the world and sin. By your despoilment, O Lord, clothe us in your mercy, which is rich beyond words. Amen.
Station 6: Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross
Scripture Reading (Mk. 15:23-32)
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.
It was the third when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Christ, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Reflection:
Huge nails are hammered through your hands and feet. I make myself watch the nails being driven through your flesh. And I watch your face, I contemplate the completeness of your entry into our lives. Can there be any pain or agony he would not understand? This is for me. Nailed to a cross to forever proclaim liberty to captives. What sorrow and gratitude fill my heart!
Prayer:
O patient Jesus, meek Lamb of God who promised, “When I shall be exalted from earth I will draw all things to myself,” attract my heart to you and nail it to the Cross. Let me crucify my past. I throw myself into the arms of your mercy. Your will be done in all things. Amen.
Station 7: Jesus Dies
Scripture Reading (Mt. 27:45-54)
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Reflection:
As Jesus hung on the cross, he forgave the soldiers who had crucified him, and prayed for his mother and friends. Jesus wanted all of us to be able to live forever with God, so he gave all he had for us. Jesus, let me take a few moments now to consider your love for me. Help me thank you for your willingness to go to your death for me. Help me express my love for you!
Prayer:
My Jesus, you hung in agony for three hours before you died; let me die to sin, and live for your love and faithful service. Amen.
Station 8: Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross
Scripture Reading (Jn. 19:38-39)
Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
Reflection:
Jesus, how brutally you were put to death. How gently you are taken from the cross: a profound sacrifice, complete. I behold this scene at the foot of the cross. Your suffering and pain are ended, and you are put in the lap of your mother. The dirt and blood are wiped away. You are treated with love. I pause to let it soak in. You know the mystery of death. You have fallen into God’s hands. For me. That I might love as I have been loved. I pour out my heart to the God of all mercies.
Prayer:
Resting in your mother’s arms when taken from the cross, you died trusting a Father’s care, faithful unto death. By your holy death, O Lord, give us an unfailing trust in God, commend us to your Father’s hands. Amen.
Station 9: Jesus Is Buried
Scripture Reading (Mt. 27:57-60)
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Reflection:
They take your body to its resting place. The huge stone over the tomb is the final sign of the permanence of death. I stand for a moment outside this tomb. This final journey of his life has shown me the meaning of his gift of himself for me. This tomb represents every tomb I stand before with fear, in defeat, struggling to believe it could ever be empty. In the fullness of faith in the Risen One, given by his own Holy Spirit, I express my gratitude for this way of the cross. I ask Jesus, whose hands, feet and side still bear the signs of this journey, to grant me the graces I need to take up my cross to be a servant of his own mission.
Prayer:
My Jesus, without your death I too, would be dead. Without your resurrection, I would not have the hope of a new life. Jesus, for my salvation you took the painful journey of the Cross. Let me press the footsteps marked by you, gracious Redeemer – the path that for me marks the path of life. Amen.
Station 10: Communion – Jesus Is Risen!
Scripture Reading (Lk. 24:1-8)
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words.
Reflection:
The way of the cross does not end at the grave. Jesus is alive! As you stand before the cross and take communion, remember the body that was sacrificed and the blood that was shed for you.
Prayer:
You have a candle that you have carried on your journey through THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS. Now, as you stand before the cross, remembering the sacrifice of Jesus, looking forward to celebrating His resurrection at Easter, and participating in Holy Communion, we invite you to light the candle as a prayer to the Lord. It may be a prayer for yourself, or a loved one, or for a concern that you have or a burden that has been weighing you down. As you light the candle, remember that it was Jesus’ death and resurrection that makes it possible for you to have a new life through Him.
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS.
From all of us here at Community Christian Fellowship, we hope that you have an incredible Easter and we pray God’s blessing on you today!
If you don’t have a church home, please join us for our Easter service this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.