Straight from a Youth Worker's Mouth - Lenten Devotional Series: Week 6

Lent is the forty weekdays leading up to Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday. For early Christians this time was used to prepare candidates for baptism and also became a time of penitence for those who had already been baptized. For most of us Lent has become a time of prayer, meditation and reflection.

As Christians we are to follow the way that Christ has shown us and prepared for us. We are to follow him all the way to God by way of the Cross. As we move deeper into this Lenten season there will be many things going on in our churches and in our ministries. I want to encourage you to take time for yourself, spend time following Jesus and his path to Life.

The Stations of the Cross have provided focused meditation during the Lenten season for Christ Followers all over the world. There are many forms of this tradition and many ways it has been presented and practiced. This series is based on "The Scriptural Way – Stations of the Cross." There are fourteen stations, two will be presented each week to give you an opportunity to have time to meditate and reflect on them over the course of the forty days of Lent. I pray that these devotions help you Follow Christ even closer than you already are.

Joy and Peace,
Christy Allen
[email protected]

Editor’s note: There are several different interpretations of the Stations of the Cross. This Lenten series utilizes one. For other versions, consult a theological dictionary or web resources.

Week 6 - Son of God, Son of Man

Station #11 – Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief
Read Luke 23:32-43

While the soldiers, the people, the teachers of the Law and the other thief all mocked Jesus – the "good" thief understood. The thief was supposed to be there but Jesus wasn’t, Jesus was supposed to be in heaven but the thief wasn’t and yet that is what Jesus promised him that day – promised all of us who believe. Of all the people who were there in that moment, only the "good thief" truly knew who Jesus was, truly recognized him as God. As you meditate on this scene, put yourself there, on the cross next to Jesus.

Prayer:

Son of God,
We know we do not deserve to be with you in your kingdom, we know that we deserve to be punished for our sin. Help us to be like the "good thief", help us to know where we should be and recognize that only your love, grace and goodness bring us to your kingdom to be with you. Bring us humility, hear our confessions, how we long to be with you in Paradise. Amen.

Station #12 – Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Beloved Disciple
Read John 19:25-27

Jesus entrusts Mary to John the beloved disciple. Jesus knew that John would care for Mary as his own mother. As disciples, we are to take care of each other as Jesus would take care of us. As you meditate on this scene, think about the special relationship between mother and son, think about the love that is shared, the responsibility that is shared, and the bond that is unconditional.

Prayer:

Brother Jesus,
Help us to take care of each other as we should. Help us to love one another, support one another as family. Sometimes we do not do all that we could to show loving concern for our fellow brothers and sisters. Help us to be more aware of each other’s needs, to be supportive, encouraging, and helpful physically, emotionally and spiritually. You are a relational God, and we are to be in close relationship with each other. Fill us with your love, guide us in word and deed. Amen