We have walked to the cross with Jesus, reflecting on his choice to walk this road and take the penalty for our sin upon himself. We’ve seen how he was betrayed, unfairly convicted, beaten, humiliated, and hung on a cross to die. We’ve seen him show love through it all. In the medieval tradition of The Way of the Cross, there was never a station for the resurrection. The walk always ended on Friday at the tomb.
It always ended with betrayal, suffering, death and darkness. And so, as we end our time of stations, take this day and Saturday tomorrow to reflect on the profound sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf. Reflect on his deep love for you and for those around you. And give thanks. Below is a reflection you can do on Saturday as you sit in that space of considering God's great love for you.
Luke 23:56
Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Lamentations 3.1-9, 19-24
1 I am the man who has seen affliction
by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.
2 He has driven me away and made me walk
in darkness rather than light;
3 indeed, he has turned his hand against me
again and again, all day long.
4 He has made my skin and my flesh grow old
and has broken my bones.
5 He has besieged me and surrounded me
with bitterness and hardship.
6 He has made me dwell in darkness
like those long dead.
7 He has walled me in so I cannot escape;
he has weighed me down with chains.
8 Even when I call out or cry for help,
he shuts out my prayer.
9 He has barred my way with blocks of stone;
he has made my paths crooked.
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Reflection
Today is a day to wait.
After Jesus death, his body was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. But because it was so late in the day as Sabbath approached, those that wanted to care of his body were forced to stop their preparations and wait until Sunday.
As you read through Lamentations, spend some time considering the emotional weight of death as his friends and followers would have that Saturday. Their Lord, teacher and friend had died a horrific death. And they are forced to stop for 24 hours. Unable to keep busy, allowing the shock, hurt and grief to torment their hearts.
Today spend some time feeling the weight of that grief in brief moments through out the day.
And be thankful that we know that Sunday is coming!