For Children A half-sheet of questions geared to a child’s level of understanding are available. Additional Resources • Scan the QR tag below to watch a video version of the station devotional led by our pastor, Rev. Denise Haskins. • The videos—as well as Going Deeper questions for additional reflection—are also available on our virtual Stations of the Cross website located at http://westsideumc.info/stations-of-the-cross Join us for worship and your continuing discipleship journey… West Side United Methodist Church West Side United Methodist Church 317 Nichols Street; Clearfield, PA 16830 Watch for details about worship and other ministries Welcome! at www.westsideumc.info or on Facebook @ West.Side.United.Methodist We’re so glad you have chosen to set aside some time to reflect on the Stations of the Cross. Contact us at [email protected] OR Use this booklet to read/reflect on each of the 15 stations. call during regular business hours (M-F 9-4) Information about additional resources is found on the back cover 814.765.9813 of this booklet. Station 1: Sorrow Matthew 26:36-41 36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, "Stay here while I go and pray over there." 37 When he took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, he began to feel sad and anxious. 38 Then he said to them, "I'm very sad. It's as if I'm dying. Stay here and keep alert with me." 39 Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, "My Father, if it's possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want." 40 He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you stay alert one hour with me? 41 Stay alert and pray so that you won't give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak." In the Garden of Gethsemane, we encounter Jesus in his moment of deepest sorrow and pain. But notice he is not alone. The scriptures say, “Jesus went with the disciples…” (Matthew 26:36). He then took his most trusted friends—Peter, James, and John— with him as he began the painful journey that would ultimately lead to new life. Although we tend to give them a bad rap for falling asleep three times, it’s worth noting that, at least they were present with Jesus in these moments in the garden. Thank you! While most of us will not make history-altering decisions in our Our hope is that by taking part in this ancient devotional practice, lifetimes, we all have moments of deep sorrow when we need to your eyes and your heart will be open to the great love, mercy, be surrounded by the love of our friends, especially those in the and grace God has for you in this season and throughout your life. community of faith. As you begin this journey to the cross with Jesus, remember you are not alone. Remember also “at night we These devotional materials were developed using the Stations of may cry, but when morning comes we will the Cross products available from Illustrated Ministries (author: celebrate” (Psalm 30:5). Geoff Duffy, illustrator: Adam Walker Cleaveland). Station 15: New Life & New Beginnings Station 2: Betrayal Mark 16:1-6 Mark 14:43-46 1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother 43 Suddenly, while Jesus was still of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and speaking, Judas, one of the anoint Jesus' dead body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, Twelve, came with a mob just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. 3 They were saying to carrying swords and clubs. They each other, "Who's going to roll the stone away from the entrance had been sent by the chief for us?" 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been priests, legal experts, and elders. rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) 5 Going into the 44 His betrayer had given them a tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right sign: "Arrest the man I kiss, and side; and they were startled. 6 But he said to them, "Don't be take him away under guard." alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. 45 As soon as he got there, Judas He has been raised. He isn't here. Look, here's the place where said to Jesus, "Rabbi!" Then he they laid him. kissed him. 46 Then they came and grabbed Jesus and The resurrection of Jesus is a reminder that eternal life begins right arrested him. here, right now… today! For the women who came to the tomb early that Sunday morning, death was all they were expecting to Someone once said that “the see. Imagine their amazement when, in the place they expected saddest thing about betrayal is to only encounter grief, was an angel of light telling them to turn that it never comes from your back around, spread the good news, carry on the mission, and be enemies.” And so it was with on the lookout for Jesus in the places they least expected to see Jesus and Judas. The scriptures are quick to point out that Judas him. In the words of a contemporary Easter hymn: was “one of the twelve” (Mark 14:43). It could even be argued that he was one of the more influential members of the inner Because you live, O Christ, the spirit bird of hope is freed for flying; circle. After all, he was the treasurer who made sure there was our cages of despair no longer keep us closed and life-denying. enough money to carry on the mission of building the kingdom. The stone has rolled away and death cannot imprison! And yet, it was this “one of the twelve” who betrayed Jesus, O sing this Easter day, for Jesus Christ has risen! setting in motion events that would ultimately lead to Jesus’ crucifixion. We will never know why Judas betrayed Jesus. Some people believe it was because he had no choice…it was all part of God’s preordained plan. Others think it was because Judas was hungry for power and control of the group. Whatever his motives, his betrayal ultimately cost Jesus his life. Station 3: Condemnation Luke 22:66-71 66 As morning came, the elders of the people, both chief priests and legal experts, came together, and Jesus was brought before their council. 67 They said, "If you are the Christ, tell us!" He answered, "If I tell you, you won't believe. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won't answer. 69 But from now on, the Human One will be seated on the right side of the power of God." 70 They all said, "Are you God's Son, then?" He replied, "You say that I am." 71 Then they said, "Why do we need further testimony? We've heard it from his own lips." As we arrive at this third station with Jesus, it is worth remembering that it was not “evil” people who condemned him. The people who passed false judgment were the “good” ones, the religious leaders, the ones who knew the law. Yet, in one of the saddest mockeries of justice in history, they sentenced Jesus to death. But not before they asked him this question: “Are you…the Son of God” (Luke 22:70)? Then, even after Jesus answered in the affirmative, they condemned the Son of God to death. At some point in our lives, most of us have heard this proverb: when you point a finger at someone, there are three more pointing back at you. Take a look at the picture. Notice all the fingers. Who are they pointing at? Are they your fingers? Station 4: Denial Matthew 26:69-75 69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant woman came and said to him, "You were also with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But he denied it in front of all of them, saying, "I don't know what you are talking about." 71 When he went over to the gate, another woman saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." 72 With a solemn pledge, he denied it again, saying, "I don't know the man." 73 A short time later those standing there came and said to Peter, "You must be one of them. The way you talk gives you away." 74 Then he cursed and swore, "I don't know the man!" At that very moment the rooster crowed. 75 Peter remembered Jesus' words, "Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times." And Peter went out and cried uncontrollably. It is not always easy to be true to our religious convictions when forces from all sides are asking us to deny the very things that give us life. Peter found this out in the courtyard as he watched Jesus being led away to trial. Just weeks before, Peter had mustered up the courage to profess that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 13:15). But now, when questioned, he denied he even knew his friend and Savior. Who knows what would have happened if Peter had the courage of his convictions at that moment? Would the questioning servant-girl have come to believe in Jesus? Would Peter’s testimony have been able to save Jesus from death? Take a look at the picture.