Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross
March 21, 2016 Comments Off on Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Artist: Thomas Wharton
We’ve all had moments in our lives when it seems like something truly wonderful—even miraculous—is about to happen. There are times when it seems like all our dreams are about to come true. And then, in a matter of moments, something goes wrong, and it all comes undone. The dream we thought we were having becomes a nightmare.
At Easter, we often gloss over the moment of Jesus’ death. We think of Christ’s suffering, his humiliation, and the pain he went through. We often theologize, talking about Jesus’ death in terms of atonement, or in terms of redeeming the totality of human experience. We quickly hurry to the resurrection, eager to see the new life that arises from death. But Jesus’ death was bitterly disappointing.
Before jumping to resurrection and the promise of eternal life, let’s be brave enough to stand at the foot of the cross with the dead Christ. This week, take time to pause at this most painful station of the cross, and be with Jesus at the moment of his death.
– Stephen Lloyd