|
Index
|
THE
WAY OF THE CROSS-
Jesus says, "Come to me just as you are"
Just to reflect on this for a while what is Jesus saying here?
Its very simple Jesus wants you just as you are, he doesn't want
you to dress up, or pretend you feel differently or be someone
else he wants just you as you. Whatever way you are feeling whether
you're happy, sad, lonely, depressed, angry, filled with hate,
guilt, feel useless, feel on top of the world, full of joy, peace,
his there for you always and you'll discover there is a season
for everything a time for every feeling and emotion you'll find
someone who truly understands someone who has lived and being
through it all before you, some who wants to lead the way but
this someone Jesus needs a yes from you as he is so gentle he
won't force you, won't be intrusive he wants it to come from your
own free will .
"For God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world,
but so that through him the world might be saved".
|
The
first station of the cross
Jesus
is condemned to death
Consider how Jesus, after having being scourged and crowned
with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on
the cross
When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and a
purple cloak, Pilate said
To them: "Look at the Man".
Let us reflect on this station for a moment also pictures
have a lot to say and sometimes speak for themselves as
I feel this one does. The most important thing for us
is to be able to identify with Jesus. It's only when people
identify with each other that they can let their barriers
down and feel really understood. If you meet some one
who had the exact experience as you good or bad words
don't matter there is a common bond no explaining needed,
a glance, a touch, a knowing that someone else was there
is enough. So lets look at Jesus standing in front of
Pilate being sentenced to death. We must remember that
Jesus was totally innocent of any crime. We must see him
as an ordinary man just like you and me with the same
feelings and emotions very human. With a heart of gold
|
First
we look at Pilate as he is in the picture .His sitting
on his throne fists clinched tough and hard looking
intensely at Jesus.
Jesus standing in front of Pilate looking weak and
broken after the ordeal of his last few days. Jesus
standing in front of Pilate looking weak and broken
after the ordeal of his last few days. What has this
picture to tell us about Jesus, about us, and about
life? Jesus was an innocent victim. |
|
How many times have we being innocent victims or felt
that way? Here are some examples being a child in
a alcoholic home, involved in an accident, abused
either mentally, physically or emotionally, some one
we know killed, Being born disabled, someone close
dying, being an alcoholic, addict or gambler, hurt
by someone, someone disappearing, someone walked out
on you etc. I could go on and on but these are just
some situations we can find ourselves in. These are
death situations, which can leave us devastated and
can take years to come to terms with. So at some stage
in all our lives we have felt we were innocent victims
where we questioned why did this happen to me? Why
me? The way a lot of people react to this to start
feeling sorry for them selves they sit on there pity
pot get comfortable and stay on it enjoying the attention
they are receiving from others as they repeat there
story and in there story they mention all the people
involved usually tarring them to shreds. All this
leads to death within this won't lead to life, to
growth, to healing. What will lead to life is Jesus'
way lets look at the picture again. Jesus stands there
totally innocent willing to accept his sentence he
is not saying why me? But says why not me? He shows
us a new approach to our problems a more positive
approach .No matter what situation we are in to accept
it is the first step.Acceptance doesn't come very
easy and takes time but if you pray for acceptance
it will come to you quicker here is a prayer that
will help you |
|
| "Lord
grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not
change courage to change the things I can and the
wisdom to know the difference". |
You and I are also in that picture because we can identify
with Pilate and Jesus here's how .In Jesus' weakness there
is a strength shining through, his quiet and gently looking,
he is full of courage not fear he is willing to accept what
ever Pilate says to him doesn't retaliate, or struggle.
Pilate on the other hand is serious and hard looking possibly
full of fear and hatred his ready to condemn an innocent
man there both opposites. Pilate said to them "Look
at that Man ". How many times in our lives have we
pointed the finger and said look what his doing, or did
you hear about so and so. How we love to talk about other
people when there having problems. So Pilate and Jesus are
part of us the Pilate side of us leads to death within the
Jesus side of us leads to life within us. So if we look
to Jesus he will teach us to turn fear into courage, hatred
into love, he will show us how to start looking at our selves
instead of others, teach us to accept our problems, instead
of saying why me? We will be able to say why not me? .
1. Jesus tells us "in your weakness I shall be your
strength".
2. God my Lord is my strength, he will make my feet as light
as a doe's and set my steps on the heights. Set your hearts
on his kingdom first, and on Gods saving Justice, and all
these other things will be given to you.
3. Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called
you by your name, you are mine. Should you pass through
the waters, shall be with you; or through rivers, they will
not swallow you up. Should you walk through fire, you will
not suffer and the flame will not burn you for I am your
God, your Saviour. Do not be afraid for I am with you always
|
|
