The Reformed Stations of the Cross

Heritage Presbyterian Church https://heritagepresbyterian.org

April 10, 2020 
Good Friday
Scripture readings – Passion accounts from all four Gospels

The stations of the cross is an ancient rite that recognizes 14 scenes from the Good Friday passion accounts of Jesus.  In recent years, Protestant reformed churches have adapted these stations to closely mirror the Gospel accounts.   This video includes 14 pictures, each with a Gospel reading and a prayer.

Opening Prayer:

All: God of power and mercy, in love you sent your Son that we might be cleansed of sin and live with you forever. Bless us as we gather to reflect on his suffering and death that we may learn from his example the way we should go. We ask this through that same Christ, our Lord.  Amen!

Station 1. Jesus Prays Alone in the Garden           [Matthew 26:36-41]

Reader: Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”         

All: Lord, grant us your strength and wisdom, that we may seek to follow your will in all things.

Station 2. Jesus is Arrested                           [Mark 14: 43-46]

Reader: Then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.” He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. 

All: Lord, grant us the courage of our convictions that our lives may faithfully reflect the good news you bring.

Station 3: The Sanhedrin Tries Jesus         [Luke 22: 66-71]

Reader: When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us,” but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They all asked, “Are you the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.”

All: Lord, grant us your sense of righteousness that we may never cease to work to bring about the justice of the kingdom that you promised.

Station 4: Pilate Tries Jesus                          [Mark 15: 1-5]

Reader: The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. 

All: Lord, grant us discernment that we may see as you see, not as the world sees.

Station 5: Pilate Condemns Jesus to Death     [Matthew 27: 15-18, 20-25]

Reader: Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired.  They had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.  When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?”  For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.  Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
They said, “Barabbas!”
Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus, who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!”
But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?”
But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!”
So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”
All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!”

All: Lord, grant us courage in the face of the will of a crowd that we may always follow the righteous path you have for us.

Station 6: Jesus Wears the Crown of Thorns               [John 19:1-3]

Reader: Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly.                   

All: Lord, grant us patience in times of suffering that we may offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise.

Station 7: Jesus Carries His Cross                                  [John 19:16-17]

Reader: They took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself, he went out toward what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.                

All: Lord, grant us strength of purpose that we may faithfully bear our crosses each day.

Station 8: Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross    [Mark 15:21]

Reader: They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.       

All: Lord, grant us willing spirits that we may be your instruments on earth.

Station 9: Jesus Speaks to the Women                 [Luke 23: 27-29]

Reader: A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ 

All: Lord, grant us gentle spirits that we may comfort those who mourn.

Station 10: Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross               [Luke 23: 33-34]

Reader: When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”               

All: Lord, grant us merciful hearts that we may bring your reconciliation and forgiveness to all.

Station 11: Criminals Speak to Jesus                   [Luke 23: 39-43]

Reader: Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” 

All: Lord, grant us perseverance that we may never stop seeking you.

Station 12: Jesus Cares for His Mother                [John 19: 25-27]

Reader: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.      

All: Lord, grant us constancy that we may be willing to stand by those in need.

Station 13: Jesus Dies on the Cross                      [Luke 23: 44-46]

Reader: It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.             

All: Lord, grant us trust in you that when our time on earth is ended our spirits may come to you without delay.

Station 14: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb                   [Matthew 27: 57-60]

Reader: When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed.

All: Lord, grant us your compassion that we may always provide for those in need.

Closing Prayer:

All: Lord Jesus Christ, your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites earth and heaven and reconciles all people to you.  May we who have faithfully reflected on these mysteries follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever.  Amen!

[Adapted from http://www.usccb.org/nab/stations.htm]