The Stations of the Cross originated with pilgrims retracing Jesus’ journey to the cross, culminating at the hill where He was crucified. Wanting to share this experience with people who could not make the trip to Jerusalem, they created local stations of meditation, which became in itself a tradition.
This journey to the cross is not only a meditation of Jesus accomplishing what He came to do—the redemption of humanity through His own willful sacrifice—but it is also a contemplation of Jesus silently participating in some of the worst aspects of being human. We see Him being tempted to give up. Being betrayed by a friend. Being convicted in an unjust political system. Physical pain. Mockery. Public humiliation. Broken family relationships. And one of our greatest fears... death.
These are all aspects of human life that He was not insulated from. In fact on the cross He quotes King David saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” As if to say, “Why is it like this?” As Hebrews 4v15 reminds us “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.”
Many of us feel the weight of anxiety and fear as we journey through the current world. We are told many narratives about what is, and what is to come. During this season, referred to as “Lent” in the Church calendar, we look to the life and teachings of Jesus to re-anchor our story. We believe that the One who lived in the midst of such political turmoil and experienced great tension, who spoke the words “be not afraid” and “come to me all you who are weary and carrying a heavy load, for I will give you rest,” is the one who can help and even heal our brokenness.
During this season we are invited to consider the journey of suffering that our King Jesus took for us in order that we might lay hold of this reality: “by his wounds we are healed.”
In the words of Oswald Chambers, “His agony leads to access.”
About the Art
The artwork for these stations was created by Jonah Gomez, an artist who studied at the world-renowned Central Saint Martins in London, England. Rather than filling the room with detailed illustrations, Jonah’s abstract prints serve to draw us into the passion narrative with strong composition and scene setting. His use of bold shapes, colors and textures aim to make the movements of Jesus’ sacrifice something that we carry with us in our minds' eye.
“The idea of something not being obvious on the first glance but becoming clearer when it’s accompanied by context reflects my own journey of growing in faith. My hope is that as you journey through the sufferings of Christ, this style of art would remind you of how He is able to take the abstract confusing parts of our lives and bring beauty and order out of them.”
- Jonah Gomez
How to Guide
You can use the practice of Examen to help you encounter God, inviting Him to speak and reveal Himself through the stations.
Before you go to the first station, pause and prepare.
After you have spent time at each station take time to worship Jesus, thanking Him for the journey He undertook to the cross, and for revealing His heart to you. Take five minutes to pray the final step at the end of this guide…
breathe
Slow down, recentering your scattered senses upon the presence of God. Sit in the worship and turn your attention to God. Allow yourself to be aware of the tensions and burdens you are carrying in. Invite God to release you from distraction or anxiety, so you can “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Ask the Father for light, to see yourself through His eyes, and to see what He wants you to see.
Approach the stations curious and expectant: God will bless and form you as he meets you. Repeat these steps at each station
replay
Slowly read the Bible verses and description for each station, allowing them to invite your imagination into the story of Jesus. Run the words over in your mind, allowing the Spirit to use them to stir your heart and connect you with the experience, words and deeds of Jesus.
acknowledge
The Spirit loves to speak through the Bible, but He also loves to use beauty, art and creativity to reveal Himself and engage us in fresh and powerful ways. Whisper the simple prayer, “Come Holy Spirit.” Spend time allowing the art to wash over you—stirring your thoughts, awakening your imagination. As you contemplate, allow God to unveil Himself in new ways. Notice what stands out about Jesus, and how God is drawing you closer to His heart.
dialogue
Talk with Jesus about what the Spirit is showing and saying. After sitting with the reality of Christ's suffering through the Bible and art, allow the Spirit to soften your heart and allow Christ’s sufferings to awaken and shape you through the guided questions provided for you in this guide.
Stations 1 - 4
Left Side of Garage
01 called
(Matthew 26v36-39)
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 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.”
replay
Jesus holds a delicate tension with His Father, raw honesty, and complete submission. The gospel writer Luke depicts Sweating drops of blood is a clear depiction of the physical agony and emotional stress Jesus experienced as he anticipated what was coming. the physical reality of Jesus sweating drops of blood, in agony and physical and emotional stress over what was to come. With raw honesty, Jesus pleads with the Father to let this cup pass from him. He confesses that his soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Jesus here models for us and gives us permission to come before the Father with emotional honesty and raw vulnerability in prayer.
Contemplate the honesty of Jesus’ confession as he is called to the cross.
acknowledge
Take a moment to examine the art in front of you, particularly Jesus’ blood as he sweats. Breathe deeply. Take your time and look at every part of the image. See it all. Reflect on the picture for a minute or so.
What thoughts or emotions does this image evoke in you?
Does this image lead you into an attitude of prayer? If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.
dialogue
What would it look like to be honest before the Father in prayer today? What parts of your heart have you held back from the Father? Take a moment to practice praying with raw honesty.
What overwhelms you with sorrow? Have you invited Jesus into your sorrow, or is he far off?
02 betrayed
(Matthew 26v47-56)
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
replay
Jesus experiences deep relational pain through Judas’ betrayal. As Judas greets Jesus with twisted affection in the form of a kiss, that kiss becomes the very key to signal the guards to seize Jesus. After years of investment, discipleship, love and care, Jesus is betrayed in a matter of seconds.
Take a moment to meditate on the reality of Christ’s suffering caused by the betrayal of a friend.
acknowledge
Take a moment to examine the art in front of you, particularly the significance of the affection depicted by Judas in blue. Breathe deeply. Reflect on the picture for a minute or so.
What thoughts or emotions does this image evoke in you?
Does this image lead you into an attitude of prayer? If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.
dialogue
Have you ever experienced pain in the form of betrayal?
If so, what would it look like to tell Jesus about that experience?
Reimagine the moment of betrayal if appropriate, where is Jesus in the room?
03 condemned
(Matthew 26v59-68)
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?”
replay
The intention of the chief priests is made plain to the audience; they are seeking to secure false testimony in order to put Jesus to death. Instead, Jesus agrees with their accusations that he is indeed the Son of Man, seated at the right hand of Power, coming on the clouds of heaven. It is this confession that causes condemn-ation to come upon him, “he deserves death.”
Take a moment to meditate on the reality of Christ’s suffering through condemnation; as one who deserves death.
acknowledge
Take a moment to examine the art in front of you, particularly the artist’s perspective of the son of man seated at the right hand of the father. Breathe deeply. Reflect on the picture for a minute or so.
What thoughts or emotions does this image evoke in you
Does this image lead you into an attitude of prayer? If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.
dialogue
Jesus experiences complete condemnation, only to promise that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Him (Romans 8v1). Do you still experience condemnation in your relationship with Jesus?
How might Jesus be inviting you into greater freedom today?
04 denied
(Matthew 26v31-35)
Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
replay
Peter’s good intentions to stay faithful to Jesus failed him; good intentions weren’t enough for him to stay faithful. Three times he denied ever even knowing the rabbi he had given the last three years of his life following. It was the crow of the rooster that woke Peter up to the reality of his denial that Jesus had just foretold. As he realizes what he’s done, “he went away and wept.” Another man that Jesus invested years of time into, returns the favor by denying ever knowing him.
Take a moment to meditate on the reality of Christ’s suffering through the experience of a friends’ denial over ever having known him.
acknowledge
Take a moment to examine the art in front of you, particularly as you see the guilt of Peter’s denial grow with each encounter. Breathe deeply. Reflect on the picture for a minute or so.
What thoughts or emotions does this image evoke in you
Does this image lead you into an attitude of prayer? If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.
dialogue
Have you ever experienced a type of relational pain in the form of denial? Allow the memory of that experience to come to the surface. Notice the thoughts and emotions that are coming up for you.
Jesus’ promise in Scripture is this: “I will never leave you, nor fail you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 3v15, MSG) What comfort can you gain from the reality of Christ’s commitment to you, in all things?
Stations 5 - 7
Right Side of Garage
05 mocked
(Matthew 27v27-31)
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”
replay
Mocked doesn’t seem to do the type of suffering Jesus endured in this passage justice. He is tortured, struck over and over on the head, forced to wear a crown of thorns, and spit on. The devastating mockery comes as they dress him up as the king he claims to be. As Jesus is mocked and humiliated the juxtaposition is as heavy as it is powerful.
Take a moment to meditate on the reality of Christ’s suffering through the mockery and torture experiments he endures as he prepares to be crucified.
acknowledge
Take a moment to examine the art in front of you, particularly the kingly objects his abusers intended to use as tools to mock him. Breathe deeply. Reflect on the picture for a minute or so.
What thoughts or emotions does this image evoke in you
Does this image lead you into an attitude of prayer? If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.
personal reflection
Have you experienced a type of injustice that left you feeling humiliated? Experienced pain and ridicule from others as a result of who you were? What comes up for you as you hold up Jesus’ mockery against your own?
The Scriptures testify to Jesus’ posture; for he continued entrusting himself to the one who judges justly (1 Peter 2v23). What might Jesus’ posture be speaking to you?
06 burdened
(Matthew 27v32)
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross
(John 19v17)
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).
replay
Jesus is told to carry his cross on his shoulders to the place where they would crucify him. His death was on the horizon, the weight of the physical cross serving as a reminder of the burden he would endure.
Take a moment to meditate on the reality of Christ’s suffering through the physical burden of carrying the weight of the cross alongside the spiritual burden of choosing to be crushed by the collective weight of our sin so we wouldn’t have to be.
acknowledge
Take a moment to examine the art in front of you, particularly the weight of the cross resting on Jesus alone. Breathe deeply. Reflect on the picture for a minute or so.
What thoughts or emotions does this image evoke in you
Does this image lead you into an attitude of prayer? If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.
dialogue
Jesus carried a heavy physical and spiritual burden, and yet promises that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
What burden is Jesus inviting you to allow him to carry?
07 stripped
(Matthew 27v35)
When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.
replay
Being crucified to death was the most severe form of humiliation in Roman culture. What’s more, criminals were stripped naked before being nailed to a cross. Jesus’ death was no different; he laid naked and bare before his enemies as he was nailed to the cross. The cruelty and sheer blindness of the Roman soldiers comes into even clearer focus as they take Christ’s crucifixion as an opportunity to make a profit by dividing up his garments. As He’s stripped naked, Jesus experiences the depths of humiliation and shame.
Take a moment to meditate on the reality of Christ’s suffering through being humiliatingly stripped of both his garments and his dignity.
acknowledge
Take a moment to examine the art in front of you, particularly as Jesus’ body is laid down as lots are cast for his garments. Breathe deeply. Reflect on the picture for a minute or so.
What thoughts or emotions does this image evoke in you
Does this image lead you into an attitude of prayer? If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.
dialogue
There was nothing that was hidden in this moment as Jesus was stripped bare. Have you ever felt emotionally stripped bare, vulnerable and exposed? What was that like for you?
What do you feel you need to hide from God, yourself, or others in order to be loved and accepted?
What would it look like to bring your shame, the things we work to remain hidden, before Him today?
Station 8
Cross at Center of Garage
08 crucified
(Matthew 27v37)
Above his head they placed the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews..
replay
The climax of Christ’s suffering is found in the moment of his crucifixion. Dying a slow and horrible death, this charge hangs above him: “this is Jesus, King of the Jews” As the depths of Christ’s suffering comes to an end, we see these words uttered from Jesus’ lips. “Father, into your hand I commit my spirit… it is finished” (John 19v30, Luke 23v46)
Take a moment to meditate on the reality of Christ’s suffering as he is crucified.
acknowledge
Take a moment to examine the cross, its beauty, and its representation of horrific suffering. Breathe deeply. Reflect on the picture for a minute or so.
What thoughts or emotions does this image evoke in you?
Does this image lead you into an attitude of prayer? If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.
dialogue
Christ’s sufferings on the cross paid the debt of our sin in full.”
We now have an opportunity to lean into this reality in a tangible way. We invite you to leave your sin, your shame, and your suffering on the cross. Consider meditating on this ancient hymn as you do, taking in each word and allowing the Spirit of God to bring to your attention anything He might want to encourage, heal, or set free in you.
What would it look like to bring your shame, the things we work to remain hidden, before Him today?
Jesus paid it all
All to him I owe
Sin has left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
the last step of examen
After you have spent time at each station, take time to worship Jesus, thanking Him for the journey He undertook to the cross and for revealing His heart to you. Take five minutes to pray a final step…
anticipate
Consider your year past and the year ahead. Does the journey of Jesus reframe your own journey? How is God redeeming and using the presence of suffering in your own life? Is there anything God is breathing hope and life into? Is there anything God says doesn’t belong on the road ahead, like a pattern of sin, unforgiveness, or disobedience?
Use the space of worship to talk to God about these things.
You can use the nails and timber to act out your prayer, leaving things at the foot of the cross to be covered by the blood of Jesus, dying there with Him.