Hi friends. It’s Holy Week, and I wanted to share images and reflections I wrote a few years ago for a Stations of the Cross event at church. There are 14 Stations adapted for Substack and socials, so I’ll be sending out more emails than usual this week. Feel free to read what you like and skip what you need to, or read them all next Friday. Regardless of how you go about it, I invite you to reflect on the image, Scripture passage, and meditation/reflection question in each email.
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had given them a signal. “The one I kiss,” he said, “he’s the one; arrest him and take him away under guard.” So when he came, immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. They took hold of him and arrested him. One of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, to capture me? Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then they all deserted him and ran away. Mark 14:43-50
It is not just the idea of the cross that is heavy upon Jesus’ physical body. Heavy on Jesus' heart is Judas' betrayal and the scattering of Jesus’ friends when Jesus is arrested.
Have you ever been betrayed or abandoned? A disloyal partner or a gossiping friend who betrays our confidence is one of the most painful wounds we can suffer. Jesus felt the same pain when his friend Judas handed him over to the mob with an act of intimate friendship—a kiss.
If we have followed Jesus for any length of time, it’s likely we have also done things that have grieved his heart. Yet, when that happened, Jesus looked on us with love and sorrow, hoping we would see that we had been led astray.
Reflection Question: Where in your life might Jesus be inviting your faithfulness? Is it by being a consistent and caring neighbor? A faithful marriage partner? A wise steward of Earth’s resources or the resources in your bank account? A responsible employee? An engaged parent?
Suggested Prayer: Lord, help me not to run away from You when faithfulness makes difficult demands of me. Help me hold on to you instead of seeking security in unreliable things like money, power, relationships, or my strength, none of which can ever save me as only You can.