HEBRON: Eleventh and Twelfth Stations of the Cross--Jesus is nailed to cross; Jesus dies on cross
March 21st, 2008
in:
21 March 2008
HEBRON: Eleventh and Twelfth Stations of the Cross: Jesus is nailed to cross; Jesus dies on cross
The Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross.
by Lorne Friesen
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means "The Place of the Skull"). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. (Mark 15:22-24, New International Version)
Jesus's death on the cross is more painful than most are willing to comprehend. The use of crucifixion to execute the condemned was not only agonizing, but also humiliating for the victims and their loved ones who helplessly stood by. Those nailed to the cross would have screamed because of the excruciating pain. The words of Jesus from the cross indicate that he was clearly conscious of his surroundings, and was still able to speak words of compassion.
The gospel writers inform us that Jesus knew he would face death in Jerusalem. He understood the consequences of promoting the "Kingdom of God," especially in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, Jesus made his journey to Jerusalem because he was committed to fulfill his divine mission. I do not believe Jesus chose to be crucified. Rather, I believe that crucifixion was the consequence of his faithfulness. Jesus chose to be faithful to his divine calling, to preach, teach, and heal; because people rejected his message and mission, the crucifixion inevitably followed.
Jesus endured the cross for us and all who suffer in the world. In the same way, God calls his faithful community to take upon themselves the brokenness of the world. The price of faithfulness today is still high, especially in places of military occupation and war. Courage is an essential quality if one is to confront the powers of death and destruction. Many Muslims, Christians and Jews, who have committed themselves to nonviolence and stand in solidarity with victims of nonviolence, find themselves targeted by the powers of destruction in the Occupied Palestinian territories. As we remember Jesus’ faithfulness to endure the cross, let us commit ourselves again to remain faithful in the face of the violence that many people must endure daily.
The Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross
by Jan Benvie
“It was the third hour when they crucified him. … Those who passed by hurled insults at him… And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice,… ‘My God, my God why have you forsaken me?’ … With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.” (Mark 15: 25, 29-34, 37)
Jesus was mocked and crucified because He dared to challenge the powers. He had to be silenced, and his enemies corrupted legal procedures to silence him.
In the name of "security" or ‘the war on terror,’ many governments around the world have passed laws eliminating the rights of defendants. In April 2006, Amnesty International produced a report detailing the practice of rendition–“the transfer of people from one country to another by means that bypass all judicial and administrative due process” (part 1.1, http://tinyurl.com/3ct7k8). In November 2007, Amnesty reported that approximately 300 detainees were still held without charge or trial by US authorities in Guantanamo Bay Prison Camp (http://tinyurl.com/2j3swr). Israel holds Palestinians without charge or trial in "administrative detention." According to the Israeli Human Rights Group, B’tselem, Israel, in 2007, held a monthly average of 830 prisoners in administrative detention (http://tinyurl.com/2kawvg).
Many who speak out against these unjust laws and practices are accused of Anti-Semitism and supporting and/or appeasing terrorism.
Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me … will save it.” (Mark 8: 34-35)
We know that God did not forsake Jesus. Jesus overcame death and rose again from the tomb. Neither will God forsake us if we have the strength to take up our cross and follow Jesus. God will be with us as we speak out or take action against oppression and injustice, even when that means mockery or death.
HEBRON: Eleventh and Twelfth Stations of the Cross: Jesus is nailed to cross; Jesus dies on cross
The Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross.
by Lorne Friesen
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means "The Place of the Skull"). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. (Mark 15:22-24, New International Version)
Jesus's death on the cross is more painful than most are willing to comprehend. The use of crucifixion to execute the condemned was not only agonizing, but also humiliating for the victims and their loved ones who helplessly stood by. Those nailed to the cross would have screamed because of the excruciating pain. The words of Jesus from the cross indicate that he was clearly conscious of his surroundings, and was still able to speak words of compassion.
The gospel writers inform us that Jesus knew he would face death in Jerusalem. He understood the consequences of promoting the "Kingdom of God," especially in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, Jesus made his journey to Jerusalem because he was committed to fulfill his divine mission. I do not believe Jesus chose to be crucified. Rather, I believe that crucifixion was the consequence of his faithfulness. Jesus chose to be faithful to his divine calling, to preach, teach, and heal; because people rejected his message and mission, the crucifixion inevitably followed.
Jesus endured the cross for us and all who suffer in the world. In the same way, God calls his faithful community to take upon themselves the brokenness of the world. The price of faithfulness today is still high, especially in places of military occupation and war. Courage is an essential quality if one is to confront the powers of death and destruction. Many Muslims, Christians and Jews, who have committed themselves to nonviolence and stand in solidarity with victims of nonviolence, find themselves targeted by the powers of destruction in the Occupied Palestinian territories. As we remember Jesus’ faithfulness to endure the cross, let us commit ourselves again to remain faithful in the face of the violence that many people must endure daily.
The Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross
by Jan Benvie
“It was the third hour when they crucified him. … Those who passed by hurled insults at him… And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice,… ‘My God, my God why have you forsaken me?’ … With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.” (Mark 15: 25, 29-34, 37)
Jesus was mocked and crucified because He dared to challenge the powers. He had to be silenced, and his enemies corrupted legal procedures to silence him.
In the name of "security" or ‘the war on terror,’ many governments around the world have passed laws eliminating the rights of defendants. In April 2006, Amnesty International produced a report detailing the practice of rendition–“the transfer of people from one country to another by means that bypass all judicial and administrative due process” (part 1.1, http://tinyurl.com/3ct7k8). In November 2007, Amnesty reported that approximately 300 detainees were still held without charge or trial by US authorities in Guantanamo Bay Prison Camp (http://tinyurl.com/2j3swr). Israel holds Palestinians without charge or trial in "administrative detention." According to the Israeli Human Rights Group, B’tselem, Israel, in 2007, held a monthly average of 830 prisoners in administrative detention (http://tinyurl.com/2kawvg).
Many who speak out against these unjust laws and practices are accused of Anti-Semitism and supporting and/or appeasing terrorism.
Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me … will save it.” (Mark 8: 34-35)
We know that God did not forsake Jesus. Jesus overcame death and rose again from the tomb. Neither will God forsake us if we have the strength to take up our cross and follow Jesus. God will be with us as we speak out or take action against oppression and injustice, even when that means mockery or death.