SEVEN... Last Words; Stations of the Cross - Suggested Holy Week Devotions

sunday

FIRST WORD “Father, forgive them.” Luke 23:34

read 1 Corinthians 4:12, Acts 3:17, Matthew 27:35

Do we sometimes hurt others and not know what we are doing? What can we learn about forgiveness from Jesus’ first words on the cross?

FIRST STATION Jesus Condemned

read John 19:1-16

monday

SECOND WORD “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

read Revelation 2:7

Was it fair for the criminal to get to go to heaven with Jesus? Do you sometimes think people deserve it when bad things happen to them? What do you deserve? And what, thanks to God’s action through Jesus, do you get?

SECOND STATION Jesus Carries the Cross

read Mark 15:16-20

tuesday

THIRD WORD “Woman, behold your son! Behold, your mother!” John 19:26-27

read John 13:23; 20:2

Is there someone you could love as though they were a member of your family? Besides family members, who has influenced you greatly in your life?

THIRD STATION Simon helps Carry the Cross

read Luke 23:26

wednesday

FOURTH WORD “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15:34

read Psalm 22:1

Have you ever cried out to God and asked “why”? When have you felt alone or abandoned?

FOURTH STATION Jesus is Stripped

read Matthew 27:27-31

thursday maundy

FIFTH WORD “I am thirsty.” John 19:28

read Psalm 22:15

When in your life did you feel like you needed someone or something? Did you feel God’s Presence at that time? If so, how?

FIFTH STATION Jesus is nailed to the Cross

read Mark 15:22-28

friday good?

SIXTH WORD “It is finished.” John 19:30

read John 21:25

When your life on earth is finished, what do you think people will say about you? Are you casting a shadow or projecting the light of Jesus?

SIXTH STATION Jesus dies read Luke 23:44-46

SEVENTH WORD “Father, I trust my spirit into your hands!” Luke 23:46

read Psalm 31:5, John 19:30

What should we do when we want things our own way? What happens when everybody wants their own way? When is it hardest to let go and let God have His way?

SEVENTH STATION Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross and Buried read Mark 15:42-46

saturday

REVIEW, CONTEMPLATE, AND FAST

monday Jesus chased the money changers out of the Temple. Tuesday and wednesday Jesus preached and taught in Jerusalem. thursday Jesus and His disciples had the Last Supper. Jesus prayed before He was arrested. friday Jesus was crucified. saturday everyone rested, because it was the Sabbath.

Fast from something today (food, tv, phone, computer, etc.). Think about Jesus and consider your emotions. How would you have felt that day if you didn’t know the rest of the story. How do you think Jesus felt? How does it make you feel now knowing what you know? What do you think you would have felt like if you had been there during that time?

sunday easter!

resurrection

from the dead

He is alive! The tomb is empty! Jesus is alive!

read John 20:1-18, Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4

He has appeared to Mary Magdalene at the Tomb. She thought He was the gardener at first. Jesus told her to go and tell the others. Peter and John ran and searched and found no trace of the body of Jesus, besides his death linens, neatly folded, the scent of frankincense and myrrh still lingering in the air. The guards had fled, and left the tomb unguarded. Something amazing has happened. What does this mean? How does this information change our lives? Knowing that Jesus has been raised from the dead is an amazing revelation. What does this say about God and our place in His mission? What is God’s mission, in light of what we now know about this redemptive work in the world? Why did God choose to do this, and what does it mean?

He is alive! Jesus Christ lives! Alleluia, and Amen.