STATION 4

(participant reads)
A summary of Jesus’ death:
The news about Jesus is spreading.  The crowds are getting very excited about what Jesus is going to do next, but the religious leaders do not like Jesus one little bit!  They decide He has to be stopped. 
A plan is made to capture Jesus, to accuse Him of things He has never done and then have Him sentenced to death. 

Aware of the plot on His life, Jesus keeps moving toward the city of Jerusalem - where the controversy is swirling.

Six days before the Passover feast, Jesus journeys to the village of Bethany, to the home of Lazarus who had recently been raised from the dead,  where they host Him for dinner.
Martha is busy serving as the hostess, Lazarus reclines at the table with Him, and Mary takes a pound of fine ointment, pure nard (which is both rare and expensive), and anoints Jesus’ feet with it; and then she wipes them with her hair.
As the pleasant fragrance of this extravagant ointment fills the entire house, others object to the lavish act of honour, but Jesus interjects: "Leave her alone. She has observed this custom in anticipation of the day of My burial." (from John 12:1-8)

Less than a week later, Jesus is arrested, beaten and spat on.  He is forced to carry a huge, heavy wooden cross up a hillside. He is hung on that cross.  
It is the middle of the day, but the sky turns black. 
Jesus cries out in a loud voice, “It is finished.” 
Then, He bows His head and gives up His spirit.  At this moment, the earth shakes.  
Jesus’ body is lifted down from the cross and buried in a tomb. 
A heavy boulder is placed across the doorway of the tomb.  
 
(guide reads)
Jesus makes a way for me to know the sweetness of God's forgiveness and healing.  Jesus has poured His life out for me.  This extravagant gift is given in a completely unexpected manner, but his willingness to lay his life down opens the way for my own healing and renewal.

Ultimately, Jesus' death isn't just the choice of Jewish religious leaders, or Roman soldiers.  Jesus chooses the cross for himself.  
His love for me compels him to choose the way of the cross - my rejection of God’s loving rule and trying to do life on my own leaves me in desperate need for rescue. 
 
God desires to completely cleanse and heal my mind and heart so that I will know true freedom.
 
When Jesus died on the cross, he died for ALL of my sin and ALL of my shame.  His act of devotion is extravagant, and its effects are long-lasting.
 
You are invited to kneel before the cross.
Think back to Mary pouring out expensive perfume onto Jesus' feet.
Collect a perfumed cotton ball.  Smell its fragrance.
The fragrance may not be strong at first, but you will smell it for hours.  It's long-lasting.
Mary's anointing of Jesus paints a picture of Jesus' act of devotion toward us.  
The cross speaks of a God willing to kneel before us, seeking to cleanse and anoint us.
What does it look like for you to receive Jesus' offer of forgiveness and healing?
Take a moment to talk with God about His love for you.
When you are ready to move to the next station, take the cotton ball with you.  Let its fragrance remind you of the long-lasting forgiveness and healing that Jesus offers you.