Walk with Me

Part Five of an eight-part series of reflections on Lent, Holy Week, and Easter

What a blessing it is to be able to go to the Holy Land and walk the streets of Jerusalem as Jesus did. It can be an awe-inspiring thing to stand where Jesus was imprisoned, to climb the hill to the cross, and to go to the tomb where they laid His body.

Unfortunately, not everyone can go to Jerusalem. Still, we long for that experience, and look for a way to be a part of that journey. We can read about it, and even look at pictures, but sometimes we desire something more.

The Stations of the Cross began as a way to bring Jerusalem and the experience of the Via Dolorosa, or Sorrowful Way, home in order to share them with others who were not able to go to Jerusalem themselves.

The Stations of the Cross can vary from simple pictures and drawings to life-sized statues and scenes. Once again, we are invited to enter into the story of our salvation. We walk with Jesus from the time He is convicted until He is taken down from the cross and buried. As we walk, we take a moment to stop along the way. Even in these last moments, there are lessons to be learned and messages to hear.

Let us take our time and stay here a while.

We see incredible portraits of faith along the way of the Cross. Mary is there until the end. The power of love cannot be diminished by the sentence of death. Jesus comforts the women of Jerusalem, even though He is the one suffering. Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus’ body in his own tomb, giving a place of honor to one who has been dishonored so greatly. He has faith even though everything seems to have gone wrong.

May Jesus inspire us to stand again when the cross we bear seems too heavy. May we answer the call as Simon did when we are asked to help others bear their loads. May we be blessed when we comfort those who are suffering, even if we, like Veronica, can do no more than wipe a brow.

Take the time this Lent to take this road and stop along the way. Allow Jesus to meet you, comfort you, bless you, and fill you with grace.

Thank you to everyone who has purchased a copy of my new book Walking Through Holy Week. Order your copy here to make it a good Lent!