Stations of the Cross

THE IDEA (Taken from “Youthspecialties,” a leading evangelical youth ministry): Meditating on the events of Jesus’ final days and his resurrection can be profound. The challenge for most of us is shutting out the noise and distractions of everyday life long enough to quiet our souls and listen to the Spirit of God.

Here’s how you can set up an inspiring means to interactively meditate on Jesus’ Journey to the Cross: create stations for contemplation around your facility. It’s perfect if you have side rooms, stairs, pews, choir loft, and a balcony, but you can be creative and adapt to any situation.

Props

Station 1, Outer Noise. TV tuned to static.

Station 2, God in the Flesh. A pair of men’s sandals.

Station 3, Mary Anoints Jesus. Prayer journals, markers, cotton balls, medicine dropper, scented oil.

Station 4, Judas Betrays Jesus. Coins—exotic or ancient ones if you can get them.

Station 5, The Last Supper. Pita bread, olive oil in a bowl.

Station 6, Gethsemane. Prayer journals, markers, pitcher of grape juice, cups, several large plants.

Station 7, Jesus’ Arrest. Prayer journals, markers, rope.

Station 8, Jesus’ Trial. Prayer journals, markers, purple cloth, crown of thorns.

Station 9, Jesus’ Crucifixion. Cross, nails, hammers, paper, pens.

Station 10, Jesus’ Death. Candles, candlesnuffer, matches.

Station 11, Jesus’ Burial. A large rock.

Station 12, Jesus’ Resurrection. Prayer journals, markers, white cloth draped to look like grave clothes.

Station 13, Crossroads. Prayer journals, markers, mirror.

THE APPLICATION: (Beacon Journal) MACEDONIA -The Stations of the Cross took on a new look Friday at Faith Fellowship Church [an evangelical church].

The service was interactive, contemporary and renamed Journey to the Cross.

“We wanted to bring the whole journey to the cross to today's lifestyle,” said Victor Martin, the church's youth pastor. “We are constantly striving to reach people, especially teens, where they are today.”

Each station represents an event that occurred during the condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus. A person taking the journey through the stations meditates about each event and prays.

At Faith Fellowship Church, each station combined imagery with texts from the Bible.

At Station 1, a television with static on the screen represented the noise and distractions that cause people to tune out God. Those on the path were told to acknowledge the static in their minds, turn off the TV and take a moment to focus on God. The Bible reference was Psalm:46:10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
See All...: “Be still, and know that I am God.''

At Station 13, the final stop, pilgrims were asked to examine the journey they had just taken as they prayed in front of a mirror.

“Since we are such a visual society,” Martin said, “we thought using imagery would stir something in people. Our goal is for people to walk away changed.”