Straight from a Youth Worker's Mouth - Lenten Devotional Series: Week 7

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
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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 7 - It is Finished

Station #13 – Jesus Dies on the Cross
Read Luke 23:44-46

At Station #1 we were with Jesus in the Garden as he prayed to the Father wanting another way but still submitting fully and completely to the Father’s will. As Jesus dies he once again submits fully and completely to the Father as he commits his Spirit. As you reflect on this moment, think about your own life, have you submitted fully and completely to the Father’s will, physically and spiritually?

Prayer:

Go to a quiet place today, pray in your own way, spend time with your Faith.

Station #14 – Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
Read Matthew 27:57-60

Joseph of Arimathea, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Pilate ordered that the body be given to him. Joseph, Scripture tells us, was a rich man and yet he himself wrapped the body in clean linen and laid it in the tomb. Not just any tomb, but his own tomb. Today as you reflect on this scene, think about what do you need to lay in the tomb? What part of your life needs to be buried with Jesus.

Prayer:

Precious Jesus,
There are things in our lives that we need to lay to rest. We all have things that get in the way of our life with you. The death of our past is unpleasant but something we must deal with ourselves. Help us to place them in the tomb, help us to know that whatever we leave there is safe with you. We trust you Jesus, and know that you love us for who we are and not what we have done. Give us the strength to let go, to know that we have the Promise of Easter, the Promise of you and the Promise of your love forever. Amen