Come with me by yourselves to quiet place... Mark 6:31

Sunday, March 18, 2012

The Way of the Cross, Stations 1, 2 & 3

If you have been looking for a simple devotional these few weeks leading to Easter, feel free to join me on the blog and explore the fourteen 'stations', or the Way of the Cross. Anytime you and I draw near to the cross, we are in close proximity to the very heart of our God and our Savior.

1. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
Read Matthew 26: 36-41
Don't miss the additional information in Luke 22: 39-44
Gethsemane means 'oil press' and it is believed that Jesus and his disciples frequented Gethsemane often. This late night visit is different and is referred to as the 'dark night of the soul'. The place where there is no place to go, but God.
Do you believe this to be Christ's weakest moment? Why or why not?
What has been the time in your life when there was no place to go but God?
Jesus was in deep anguish during this visit to Gethsemane, but he left focused, resilient, and committed to the cross. What was it that strengthened Him?

2. Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested
Read Mark 14: 43-46 and John 18: 1-9
A rough battalion of soldiers step back and all fall to the ground when Jesus says, "I am he".
Why? What biblical significance of "I AM" can you think of?

3. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin
Read Luke 22: 66-71
There were three religious trials and three Roman trials. Six trials in all. It is helpful to put the facts in some kind of order. Use your devotional time at this 'station' to set the stage for all six trials.
Time of day - before daylight, continuing into daylight
Place - High Priest's quarters and the courtyard outside
High Priest Annas - actually the former High Priest, and the father-in-law of Caiaphas
Caiaphas - the ruling High Priest that year
Jesus - bound
The religious trials:
1st trial - with Annas
2nd trial - with Caiaphas
3rd trail - the Sanhedrin was called in to meet and vote
Ken Gire says, the first had to strike the Savior was a religious hand.

References: Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, ESV Study Bible

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