Reflections Of The Cross

Standing Trial Before Pilate

2012-02-27T08:18:00.002-08:00

Looking Toward Jesus:

Jesus stands before an angry mob and the person who has the authority to free him or kill him: Pilate. They accuse him of all kind of things as a violent fervor grows. Pilate is hesitant, but in the end gives way to the crowds wishes. And Jesus remains silent, through it all he remains silent. Look deeply into his eyes in this moment, what is sustaining his silence? How can he continue to love and forgive the very people who would kill him?

Looking Inward:

Have you ever felt on trial, felt like you were being attacked, felt like someone or even a bunch of people were out to get you? How did you respond? How would you feel if you were Jesus in this moment? What would it take to hold your silence, and offer forgiveness instead of anger or hatred?

Looking Outwards

It’s easy to hop on the band wagon, to join in popular opinion, and make rash judgments about people. How do you keep from getting caught up in crowds like this? When the world is angry and demanding violence, how do you stand for peace and grace? Who do you know that might feel right now a little like Jesus did in that moment, and how can you speak a word of love into their lives?

Praying On The Mount Of Olives

2012-02-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

Luke 22:39-46

Looking Toward Jesus:

Jesus is in anguish. Can you see it on his face? Do you hear it in his words? Imagine the the thoughts and feelings raging inside of Jesus. The moment of truth has arrived and he must now enter fully into his vocation as The Messiah, he must now embrace the cross. Jesus sits there alone, in anguish, crying out to God. Go there, sit with him, imagine yourself on your knees with Jesus in this moment of agony on the Mount of Olives. What does it feel like? What do you see, hear, smell, and think?

Looking Inward:

Have you ever wondered how Jesus’ best friends could fall asleep when he was experiencing such and intense moment? Have you ever had friends that seemed to fall asleep while your life fell apart? Have you been that friend, have you known someone experiencing crisis and yet you stayed at a comfortable distance? What is it that draws us to that place where the disciples were? What does it take to motivate us to stand with others in and through difficult moments?

Looking Outward:

Who do you know that is in some sort of crisis or agony right now? How can you stand with them? How do you think they would want you to stand with them?

Preparing To Encounter The Cross

2012-01-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

Each week during the season of Lent, we will be taking a moment to gaze at still frame moments in Jesus journey towards the cross. Our desire it to prayerfully enter a time as individuals and together of reflecting on the Journey of Jesus towards Good Friday and Easter. Each week there will be some Biblical passages to reflect on. We will look at the cross, then we will look inward at how this penetrates our souls, and then we will look outward as we seek to live transformed lives in the world where we find ourselves.

Please feel free to use this as a forum to share pictures, songs, poems, thoughts, and any other thing that might help us enter more fully into this journey together.