Walking with Jesus (God) ... MSW continued

Stations 3 -5

Station 3: Jesus carrying the cross - Jesus' way of the cross was a way of love

After suffering the intense agony of being flogged, beaten, and wearing the crown of thorns, Jesus was made to carry his cross, the cross that He would be crucified upon to Golgotha ('the Skull'). He had lost a lot of blood and was physically exhausted, but still our Lord Jesus persevered, carrying the cross as a symbol of His love, His undying love for all humanity. The weight of the cross, although painfully heavy, was nothing compared to the weight of the world, which Jesus carried so willingly. Thank You Lord.

Carrying the cross by Himself, Jesus went to the place called Skull Hill (John 19:17).

The worshipper was given an opportunity to 'carry the cross' in the form of weights and to experience a little of what Jesus our Lord went through.

Station 4: Simon of Cyrene

The next station shows some pictures of Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross with our Lord Jesus. Simon of Cyrene was forced to take up the cross (A man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the country just then, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross (Simon is the father of Rufus and Alexander, who were members of the church later) Mark 15:21). (His experience must have brought Him to the Lord. God draws all men unto Him. Hallelujah.)

Simon was forced to take up the cross. Will you and I be willing take up ours as commanded by our Lord? (Yes Lord Jesus, I willingly take up my cross, because in doing so, I know You take it up with me. Amen. All glory to You Jesus, Lord of all.)

To respond, the worshipper is invited to cut a piece of paper in to the shape of the cross and write their name and nail it to a wooden cross. That is a way of saying (through action) 'Yes Lord Jesus, we are willing to carry our crosses for You'.







Station 5: Jesus and the women of Jerusalem

Jesus warns us of the seriousness of our sin.

As the procession trudges on, some women of Jerusalem weep and mourn for Jesus. Our Lord turns to them and says 'Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children ...' (see Luke 23:28-31). (Jesus knew the days were coming when the Romans would destroy the Temple and Jerusalem.) But Jesus was also warned of the seriousness of sin and its consequences (eternal damnation). As the Jews who sinned against God by crucifying His Son, Jesus, they too will face the consequences of their actions.

Repent.

The worshipper is also invited to write their sin(s) on a piece of paper and fold it halfway and put it into the fire. If we will repent, Jesus will forgive us and save us from the fires of hell.

But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong (I John 1:9).




God bless you.