Jesus is the son of god who came to save the world from sin. Jesus the son of god was born in a manger and lived for 33 years just as us all he was human. He knew that the father almighty had called him to do his will. He knew he would have to die for the sins of others. Jesus died a death of sinners for him so loved this world. He died that we might live. He rose on the 3rd day that is called resurrection. In the history of man no person rose from the dead except Jesus Christ. He rose because he was our saviour. His journey of Calvary is been showed in the form of 14 Stations of the Cross also known as the way of the cross. It is before Easter that we Christians rather Catholics keep the lent. Lent is a season of abstinence and fast. It is a season of forgiveness and repentance. It is the season where we give up all the worldly pleasures and fast for 40 days just the way Jesus did. So we every Friday, Wednesday or even Sundays the Stations of the Cross are said in church and we adore the Christ.
JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH.
The first station Jesus is condemned to death. Behold the lord. He was arrested because of envy and falsely condemned because of fear; Jesus is accused of steering up a revolt. Ironically this description fits Barabbas, who was realised instead of Christ Jesus. Barabbas was a robber, a murdered, a criminal and in the Roman Empire only criminals were given such a death of being hung on the cross and killed.
Jesus who was not a criminal but the son of God who wanted to save us all from sin was ready to die on the cross for us. He humbly accepted what his father has permitted, in order that all had been foretold of him would come to pass.
JESUS BEARS HIS CROSS.
The second station Jesus bears his cross. Recognizing the way set before him, the way of the cross; there is no demand by the anointed one for his rights. Instead, he picks up the cross and began his journey. Hidden by recognized by Jesus in all of this is Gods will. He is dedicated to it. Jesus knew that human life is limited in many ways. And he accepted it from his father with deep love. God choses someone to own up for others mistakes and sins and that someone is Jesus. Jesus could have backed out but he chose to do the will of the Father.
JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME.
The third station of the cross is Jesus falls the first time. The road is hard and carrying the cross is not an easy thing. The cross made of wood heavy and big. The lord falls as he goes along. As difficult as it gets he got up and resolutely begins again. Detachment is necessary to free us to follow god. The lord himself has given us an example.
JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER.
The fourth station Jesus meets his mother. Jesus was not the only one who suffered the cross that day. Mary his mother was there and she shared it in another way. The most intense trial of her life must have weakened her. Seeing his face, she detects his resolve, his utter fearlessness. She is strengthening by it.
SIMON HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS.
The fifth station Simon of Sierria helps Jesus carry his cross. The soldiers had enlisted the help of a man to come along to carry the heavy wood of the cross. Simon helped him. In a similar way we too are called to help people. We knew the heart of god and he knew his son is suffering.
VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS.
The sixth station veronica wipes the face of Jesus. Veronica a young humble girl couldn’t see Jesus in such a state she came with water but the soldiers just kicked the glass. She seen Jesus drenched in blood as the shoulders had hit him and the crown of thorns over his head. She wiped Jesus’ face and his image was left upon the cloth. That image was of the eternal god.
JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME.
The seventh station Jesus falls the second time. Falling again, Jesus heard the jeering and felt the prodding of the men trying to move him along. When he rose to go on again, it was because the people compelled him.
JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM.
The eighth station Jesus consoles the woman of Jerusalem. Seeing some women on the way who were in great sorrow because of him the lord said “do not weep for me but for your children”. Great diligence is required for those who wish to share in Gods saving work. The mind must keep the tasks. But the poor in spirit will be blessed if they persevere.
JESUS FALL THE THIRD TIME.
The ninth station of the cross Jesus falls the third time. Jesus, nearing the place of his execution fell yet again. Now he was at his weakest and at the threshold of Calvary. Beneath the dirt and sweat and blood that covered the most incredible meekness, a meekness that could not find fault in his father’s plan. He rose again to gain the promise of the covenant.
JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS.
The tenth station Jesus is stripped of his garments. Now the lord’s clothes are wrenched off him. All that remains is the flesh which he took on in order to be one of us. All the earthly things have been deprived him, even clothes food or emotional support.
JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS.
The eleventh station Jesus is nailed to the cross. Blood flowed profusely as Jesus was fastened to the wood that he has carried. Nails were driven completely through him. It was even more acute because of his highly sensitive nature. The perfection of god’s mercy to us here cannot be articulated or imagined.
JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS.
The twelfth station Jesus died on the cross. Pure in heart, the lord Jesus persevered in showing all the goodness of god till his death. Then his side was pierced, and out flowed blood and water.
JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS.
The thirteenth station Jesus is taken down from the cross. Only the holy relic that once held the person of the son of god remained. St Paul tells us that our body is the temple of the lord it is holy and should not be used any kind of banal purposes.
JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB.
The fourteenth station Jesus is laid in the tomb. His body now in the tomb. Jesus looked defeated. Since his life was the gift he gave, the reverse of all appearances turned out to be true.
Thus these are the 14 Th Stations of the Cross.
- Carren Bryne.
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