The Stations of the Cross began as pilgrims retraced Jesus’ final steps in Jerusalem up to the hill where he was crucified. Wanting to share that practice and experience with people who couldn’t make the trip to Jerusalem, they created local stations of meditation that became in itself a tradition. You can find this tradition on the inside of many churches still today.

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’s 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... having to die. 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?” he was one who was not separate from our own suffering.

Many of us feel the weight of anxiety and fear as we journey through the current world. We are told many narratives of how it is and what is to come. During this season of Lent, we as a community look to the life and teachings of Jesus.

We think that the one who was in the midst of such political and empirical turmoil, who spoke the words of “Be not afraid”... and “Come to me all you are weary and carrying a heavy load, for I will give you rest”... is someone who can illuminate our desperate viewpoint.

These stations are a cross-section of elements, ideas, and objects from Jesus’ journey to the cross. As you work through these stations, may you see the that we are not troubled guests in this world... that we are not forsaken... and that the good news of this season was expressed best by Jesus when he said...

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Stations licensed from Scott Erickson https://www.scottericksonart.com