Walking with Jesus to Calvary

by Linda Olsen

Walking with Jesus to Calvary

As a child, our family attended the Stations of the Cross each Friday during Lent. As we followed Jesus along His journey to Calvary, the stations helped
us to better understand the depth of Jesus’ love for us, the depth of His suffering for us, and why Easter Sunday was about a lot more than getting a basket filled with candy.

As an adult, I continue to find the Stations of the Cross an important part of my Lenten devotion. By meditating and praying upon the 14 events that marked
Jesus’ last day on earth, I remember how He was unjustly condemned, beaten, scourged, and forced to carry the heavy cross through the streets of Jerusalem, and how he was brutally nailed to the cross and left to die.

Each time I walk with Jesus to Calvary, I visualize every step of His suffering and death. I am reminded at the first station that it was my sins for which he died. At the 4th station my heart aches as I think of Mary witnessing her son’s horrific torture and crucifixion. And I am struck at the 8th station when, although His battered body could barely walk, Jesus was comforting the wom-
en who mournfully stood along the road to His execution. In the midst of all of this darkness, there is Jesus offering love and compassion to others.

One of the main tenets of our Christian faith is that we must also walk the path to Calvary. “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of
me” (Matt 10:38). As each station is contemplated, I am reminded that despite the burdens that I am facing, Jesus has faced them too and will now help me carry my cross. Certainly the coronavirus pandemic is a cross that we each are now bearing with Christ's support.

All prayer is especially important during these difficult times. As we continue in this Lenten Season, it's imperative to keep Christ as our focus. I shall take ad-
vantage of the open church hours and the Stations of the Cross booklets to honor Christ. Easter Sunday is much more meaningful when we've also journeyed to Calvary with Jesus.