The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls a Third Time

Psalm 37:23-24

The valiant one whose steps are guided by the LORD,

who will delight in his way,

May stumble, but he will never fall,

for the LORD holds his hand.

When Jesus falls this third time, He can probably within sight of the hill where He is to die. As Jesus continues to stumble with His cross, He knows what He has to do, and He is willing to do it, but He is weak and just can’t go one more step. Then He looks up at the people He loves, looks at the reason He is on this path, and stands up again. It's unfathomable. He is given enough strength to finish the journey and lay down His life for us.

If Jesus can struggle with His cross, it is okay that we do, too. We stop, we are in pain, and we want to quit. Then we are given strength we didn’t know we had, and we continue on. We will fall, and sometimes we will feel that it is all we do as we fall a second, third, and even fourth time. It is okay. Jesus is right there with us, giving us the strength to get back up and continue on.

What helps you find strength as you carry a cross of your own? How do you find Jesus in those times?

If you’re just now jumping in, find the rest of the Stations of the Cross here.