The 11th Station of the Cross: Admitting Your Mistakes

Courtesy: Libreria Editrice Vaticana

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other criminal rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'" - Luke 23:39-43 (NIV)

The two criminals who were crucified with Jesus had different approaches to life.

One remained angry at the world, shouting insults at Jesus and daring Him to do something. He was defiant and was leaving this world in the same manner he likely had lived most of his life on it, mainly looking out for himself.

His partner, however, knew this was the end. He had determined that the way he had lived his life was no good, and that the punishment he was now receiving was what he had deserved. He was repentant, or truly sorry for what he had done.

The second thief also saw Jesus for at least part of what He was. He knew that Jesus had committed no wrong, and had not deserved to be crucified. In prison, he had probably heard about the trials before Herod and Pontius Pilate. He might have also been present and saw the notorious murderer Barabbas released instead of the innocent Jesus.

So, at the end of his rope, the second thief turned to Jesus and asked for forgiveness. He wanted to go to Heaven, where he knew he would at last have peace.

Jesus saw this, knowing what the thief had done and how he had lived his life. He saw a truly repentant man who wanted to change his ways and get right with God.

In the celebration of the Stations of the Cross by Pope John Paul II in 1991, the minister prayed this prayer:

"Lord, grant us perseverance that we may never stop seeking you."

The Bible tells us repeatedly that we are to always seek God, since He is the source of life, peace and everything else. Life may be hard, and we may have done things that we know are not pleasing to God. But there is forgiveness found in Christ, and all we have to do is ask for it.

Now as a treat, here is Third Day's "Thief:"




(Editor's note: This is part of a series of the Stations of the Cross.)

The Sixth Station of the Cross: Paying the Price

Courtesy: Vatican Museum

"Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, 'Hail, king of the Jews!' And they struck him in the face." - John 19:1-3 (NIV)

To me, being flogged and humiliated like this is almost as bad as the crucifixion, especially after seeing the depiction of this scene in the "Passion of the Christ." I remember watching this scene, nearly tearing up as I saw the cruelty of the Romans as they inflicted blow after blow (For others, the tears freely flowed).

As I saw this, it brought home just what a price Jesus Christ paid for us. Remember, in the eyes of God, He had done nothing wrong. He had not sinned. In the eyes of the authorities, at least outside of the Pharisees and religious leaders of the time, He had done nothing wrong. Even Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Palestine, found no fault in Him, at least one worthy of punishment.

In the celebration of the Stations of the Cross by Pope John Paul II in 1991, the minister prayed this prayer:

"Lord, grant us patience in times of suffering that we may offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise."

Christians throughout the ages have demonstrated this willingness to suffer for their faith, and yet still offer praise. Many still do so today. Jesus demonstrated the way to put up with the suffering, because He knew the final outcome. He knew that in the end, God will win (start with the book of Revelation). He knew He would rise from the dead and continue to live to this day.

That is true faith and true courage, having that kind of knowledge and living by it.

(Editor's note: This is part of a series of the Stations of the Cross.)

The Fifth Station of the Cross: Seeing What's Important

Courtesy: Vatican Museum

"Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 'Are you the king of the Jews?' asked Pilate. 'Yes, it is as you say,' Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, 'Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of. But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed ... Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified." - Mark 15:1-5, 15 (NIV)

There is a time for being quiet, and there is a time for speaking up. In this case, as he stood before Pontius Pilate, Jesus chose the quiet route. The reason? He knew they would not believe when He said He was God. As a matter, the Jews that heard Him picked up stones to stone Him (see John 10:22-33).

In the celebration of the Stations of the Cross by Pope John Paul II in 1991, the minister prayed this prayer:
"Lord, grant us discernment that we may see as you see, not as the world sees."

Jesus said that only His sheep would believe Him. He said that if we love Him, we will obey Him (see John 14:15). The way to obey Him is to speak to Him through prayer and to read His Word, the Bible, every day. It also helps to get involved with a church that preaches the Bible and its members follow what it says.

In that way, we can see things the way God sees them, and not the world.

(Editor's note: This is part of a series of the Stations of the Cross.)