Our final reflection of the stations of the cross compares the hopelessness of the cross, to the victory of the empty tomb. When your hope is in something happening a certain way, how do you respond to a different outcome?
At station twelve, we see again that Jesus continues to see the needs of others. What an example; his body is about to give its last breath, and he notices the needs of his mother, and entrusts her to his disciple.
“Here is your son”, “Here is your mother”. From that time on, the disciple took her into his home.
Jesus’ death was a dark moment in history. The gospel of Mark also records it as a dark moment in the day; an unusually dark moment at the hour of noon. Jesus’ last words reflect the moment of separation, caused by the punishment he carried for us all.
“At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
For the fourteenth station, we reflect on another person who had an encounter with Jesus. Joseph was a Jewish leader, but not one who had chanted, “Crucify him” at the fifth station. He was also a follower of Jesus, although he had kept this a secret.
“Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.”
When we remember the first station, we recognise the fear that faced Jesus as he prayed in the garden. Fear again is present in Joseph. But fear did not prevent action. Remember, death was overcome by life—resurrection from the dead!
Our final station marks the discovery made by the women who followed Jesus.
How would you respond to an open tomb? The women, understandably, were afraid. Again, fear made an appearance, but it was followed by action. The women went and reported all they had seen.
As we conclude our reflections of the stations of the cross, we consider the humanity of Jesus, his response to fear, rejection, torture, ridicule and loneliness. But let us ultimately remember the victory that Jesus’ death and resurrection bring.
