During the Holy week before Easter
at JeffSt Christian Church, people in the community could do a
self-guided tour of their journey to the cross in the sanctuary.
Eight Stations were set up with scenes and verses from various
events from the last week of Jesus’ life. Paintings on each table
represented scenes from the events and a list of questions prompted
reflection about the events.
Station one had a
scene called "Showed Great Love" representing the
time Mary Anointed Jesus' Feet in John 12:1-7.
In reflecting on the scene, people were asked to put
themselves in the scene.
Questions for reflection were “how do you think Mary
felt as she wiped Jesus' feet with her hair, do you
think her emotions changed when Judas scolded her
for using the expensive nard and how do you think
Mary felt when Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone..’?”
They were then
asked to consider a time when they felt they did the
right thing, giving their all to the Lord and being
shamed for doing it, then picture Jesus in that
situation, defending them.
To reflect on love for Jesus, the question was, “how
is your life a fragrant offering to Him?”
Station two was the
"Triumphal Entry" scene where Jesus Enters Jerusalem
in John 12:12-15
Questions for reflection were, “would you push
yourself to the front to see Jesus on the donkey,
would you put your own cloak on the ground or the
palm branches and what do you think the atmosphere
of the city felt like that day?”
Before moving on to station three, the card on the
table said to take a moment to reflect on you in the
scene and speak to Him about it.
At Station three,
"The Only Door" showed the scene where Jesus
Comforts His Disciples in
John 14:1-7. One reminder from Jesus was "[d]on't
let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe
also in me."
One question for reflection on being part of the
scene asked, “do you worry about eternity, or do you
dream about eternity?”
Jesus also told them (and us) "I am the Way, the
Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father
except through me." The question here was, “Does
this change the way you think about Eternity?”
In reflecting on Eternity and the restoration of all
things, people were asked to speak to Him about it.
Station four’s
scene was “Bittersweet,” which represents when Jesus
Predicts Judas’ Betrayal in Matthew 26:21-25
In reflection, people were asked to consider the
following:
You and the other followers are sitting at the table
with Jesus. He passes the bowl and says, “The one
who dipped his hand with me in the bowl-he will
betray me.” What are your reactions? Would you have
a similar reaction to the disciples [who said]
“Surely not I, Rabbi?”
In reflecting on an experience of betrayal, the
question was “have you been able to forgive?”
The scene from
station five was the “Garden of Gethsemane” where
Jesus Prays for Himself in Matthew 26:36-39
For reflection, the card on the table read, “put
yourself in the scene. Jesus asked his closest
friends to sit and BE with him. Yet they fell
asleep. Have you had someone you just wanted to be
near with you during a rough time and they struggled
with it? How did it make you feel?
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Other questions included:
What emotions are evoked in you as you look at the painting?
Has there been anything in your life where you have asked the
Lord, “Is there any other way?” What was His answer? Did you
still respond in obedience as Jesus did?
Before moving on, people were asked to take a moment to reflect
on Jesus’ anguish and obedience. Speak to Him about it.
Station six portrayed the scene
with Jesus Beaten and Mocked in John 19:1-3. The painting was “Hail,
King of the Jews”
Questions for reflection were, “have you ever been teased or mocked?
How did you feel? What did you do?”
To really think about how the crown of thorns on Jesus’s head felt,
the questions were” have you ever pruned a rose bush or other thorny
plant and been shocked by the pain of a tiny thorn? Can you imagine
that in your head not on the tip of your finger?”
Before moving on to the scene of the crucifixion, people were asked
to reflect on the physical and emotional pain Jesus took [for
everyone]. Speak to Him about it.
Station seven had the Crucifixion
scene from Luke 23:34 with the painting, “Forgive Them”
The painting had pictures on the cross beam that Jesus is carrying.
Questions for reflection were, “what do you see and what emotions
does it evoke?
Other questions for consideration included, “if the scenes on the
cross beams were all from your life, what would they be? What things
has Jesus helped you carry?”
Before moving on to the final
scene, people were asked to take a moment to give thanks for all
that Jesus has carried for you and with you and speak to God about
it.
Station eight depicted Jesus’ Death
from the passage in John 19:28-30
The painting “It is Finished” showed Jesus’ crucifixion.
The card at the table said, “imagine you are at the foot of the
cross, watching these final moments of Jesus’ earthly life unfold.
What thoughts, memories, or emotions stirred in you as you hear Him
express His thirst and as you watch them lift a sponge full of sour
wine to His parched lips?
If you were there, “what would you like to do for Him or say to Him?
In reflecting on when Jesus spoke the words, “It is finished,” the
questions were “what tone of voice do you hear Him say this? What do
these words mean to you?”
In pondering the words, “gave up His spirit,” the question was what
does this final act signify to you?
As the journey to the cross ended, people were asked to take a
moment to “be still and know.” Speak to Him about whatever is left
to say.
During the Easter week, the journey to the cross provided a great
reflection on Jesus and his final days of life.
[Angela Reiners]
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