Stations of the Cross

SERMON: “Stations of the Cross”
Palm Sunday Mark 11:1-11
April 12, 2009 Dr. Dennis Ginoza

Station One Jesus in agony on the Mount of Olives
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray. He took with him Peter, James, and John. He asked them to stay up and pray with him, but they fell asleep. Jesus was in agony and he knew what lay ahead. He prayed to God saying: “Abba (Father), everything is possible for you. Take this cup away from me (yet not what I will, but what You will.)”

Station Two: Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested.
Now the chief priests and scribes and elders came with a number of men with swords and clubs. Judas had arranged it so that the man he kissed was the man they knew as Jesus. Judas betrayed his master with a kiss and Jesus was arrested.

Station Three: Jesus is abandoned by his disciples.
The scriptures have said: “I shall strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.” The disciples were filled with fear and they left Jesus to be on his own. Their words of faith and courage crumbled that very night.

Station Four: Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin.
Before the Sanhedrin were those who stood up and submitted false evidence against him. The high priest then put the question before Jesus: “Have you no answer to that?” Jesus remained silent. They all gave their verdict. He deserved to die.

Station Five: Jesus is Denied by Peter
Peter was a strong character and he was a fisherman. He followed Jesus and lived with him for three years. We know Peter as the Rock, but Peter was also human. When a servant girl saw him, she said: “You too were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” But Peter denied it. Peter denied Jesus three times and remembered what Jesus said: “Before the cock crows twice, you will have denied me three times.” Peter broke down and wept.”

#288 “Were You There” (First stanza)

Station Six: Jesus judged by Pilate.
The first thing in the morning, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders gathered to complete their plan. They bound Jesus and took him before Pilate to be judged. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered: “You say so.” Then the chief priests made many accusations and Jesus said nothing and Pilate was amazed.

Station Seven: Jesus is condemned to death.
Now the chief priest had stirred the crowd. Pilate asked, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” Now it was customary at the festival that one prisoner be released. So Pilate asked: “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call King of the Jews?” And the crowds shouted, “Crucify him!” To satisfy the crowd Pilate released Barabas and Jesus was condemned to death.

Station Eight: Jesus is mocked and crowned with a crown of thorns.
The Roman soldiers dressed Jesus in purple and placed on his head a crown of thorns. When they finished making fun of him, they took off the purple cloth, dressed him in his clothes and they led him to crucify him.”