The Stations of the Cross are a way to meditate and enter into Christ’s final walk on earth. Generally meant to be walked, with prayer and meditation upon each station, one can also observe the Stations at any time, at home, privately if desired. The 14 depictions of Jesus’ death according to the Gospel are:
First Station: Jesus is condemned to die.
Caravaggio, Ecce Homo
“Behold your king,” says Pilate. “Away with him,” the people shout. And they sent you to your death.
Lord Jesus, Word made flesh, Light for our dark world, God come to save us, may we never send you away.
______________________________________________
Second Station: Jesus carries his cross.
Sebastiano del Piombo, Jesus Carrying the Cross
You were led to Calvary, Lord, carrying the cross by yourself. Yet was the cross only yours, or was it also mine you bore?
By your holy cross, O Jesus, make me strong and able to take up the cross I must bear.
______________________________________________
Third Station: Jesus falls the first time.
Relief sculpture at Via Delarosa, Jerusalem
How strange to see you fall as anyone does who cannot go on. And yet you rise again to take the few steps more you can. By your first fall, O Jesus, give your risen grace to those who fall and cannot rise.
______________________________________________
Fourth Station: Jesus meets his mother.
Raphael Sanzio, Lo Spasimo di Sicilia
O Mother of my Savior, you stand beside your Son. With love beyond all telling, you share his grief as one. How shall I know your sorrow, your tears beyond compare? Deep in my heart stand watching, and call my memory there.
______________________________________________
Fifth Station: Simon helps Jesus carry his cross.
Benvenuto di Giovanni, Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
Simon, coming in from the fields, was pressed to carry your cross. Did he come to know you, Lord, walking by your side? By your meeting with the Cyrenean, may we find you in the stranger, and in the needy we meet.
______________________________________________
Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
Peter Paul Rubens, The Road To Calvary
A woman named Veronica kindly washed your face with a towel. Such a simple thing! A towel, a cup of water, a loving word. By your meeting with Veronica, Lord, help us value such small things, so great when given in your name.
______________________________________________
Seventh Station: Jesus falls the second time.
Stations of the Cross Shrine in San Luis, Colorado
Can God fall, a mighty God, whose hands uphold all that is? By your second fall, O Lord, remember how weak we are, remember our helplessness, remember our human frailty, and come to our assistance.
______________________________________________
Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
David O’Connell, Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
Women wept as you passed and you said, “Weep not for me but for your children.” Keep the grace of this meeting alive in our hearts, Lord. Keep us concerned for humanity’s children.
______________________________________________
Ninth Station: Jesus falls the third time.
Martin Schongauer, The Carrying of the Cross
Like water poured out, your strength is gone. You fall as if to the dust of death. By your third fall, O Lord, give us courage before our trials and patience to go on. Help us in our need.
______________________________________________
Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped.
Carolyn Gates, Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments
They divided your garment and cast lots for your clothes. Stripped of all dignity, you had nothing of your own. By your despoilment, O Lord, clothe us in your mercy which is rich beyond words.
______________________________________________
Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross.
Gustave Dore, Nailing Christ to the Cross
Nailed to the cross, you know how many feel who, bound by circumstance, year by year get nowhere. By your riven hands and feet, Lord, help those fixed to a cross by long illness or misfortune.
______________________________________________
Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross.
Matthias Grunewald, The Crucifixion
Once the prophet said: “Who can believe our report?” God’s Servant, crushed in sorrow, pierced for our offenses! Shall we not stand watching, Lord, mourning the sins you bear, rejoicing in the pardon you bestow?
______________________________________________
Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross.
Michelangelo, Pieta
Resting in your mother’s arms when taken from the cross, you died trusting a Father’s care, faithful unto death. By your holy death, O Lord, give us an unfailing trust in God, commend us to your Father’s hands.
______________________________________________
Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb.
Titian, Entombment of Christ
You were buried in a garden tomb, like a seed fallen into the ground, waiting to rise again. Lord, help us rise again after dying with you. May all who have fallen asleep rise again.
______________________________________________
Remembering The Passion: Stations of the Cross
LUKE 24:1-12 
I wasn’t familiar with Charles Stanley until a lady in my Sunday school Beth Moore class mentioned the 
My dear cousin-in-law Max recently passed away. He suffered a long battle with cancer, never wavering in his faith nor expressing self-pity — all the while retaining his characteristic sense of humor. He leaves behind his wonderful wife (my cousin, Darlene, who is one of the kindest, gentlest yet strongest souls I have ever been privileged to know) and his grown daughters. In writing a sympathy card to them, I came across this little poem in my old, old book 
I’d HIGHLY recommend this book to new Christians (like me) and also to those simply curious about Christianity. Those “seasoned” Christians will undoubtedly find some new perspectives here, also. In other words, this book is a must-read for just about anyone! If it helps any, it’s a relatively short read (NOT an “easy” read, though — your mind will be challenged!) He begins by first describing the belief in the existence of God and then progresses from that point to a discussion of Christianity.
