The Stations of the Cross: A Visual Journey

Each of the images that appear in this article can be downloaded from the resources section below. Sam Gutierrez has graciously agreed for his images to be freely used in the context of worship. For all other uses please contact the artist through his website printandpoem.com. When utilizing these images please acknowledge Sam Gutierrez as the artist.

The stations of the cross refers to the depiction of the final hours (or passion) of Jesus. The purpose of the stations is to help believers make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer to the chief scenes of Christ's suffering and death. Traditionally, each image of the stations is arranged along a path allowing the believer to progress through the narrative physically as well as spiritually.

Historically, the stations were instituted in order to recreate the experience of visiting what were believed to be the original sites of the events in Jerusalem. By at least the 15th century the occasional practice of setting up stations in Western Europe was established, although it did not reach the majority of Catholic churches until the 17th century. Today the tradition exists mainly in Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Lutheranism, but more and more Reformed churches are including the practice in their worship.

The stations themselves are usually a series of 12–14 pictures or sculptures, but several other variations exist. This version of the stations depicts the scenes as laid out in the following chart. It includes Jesus’ three falls which, though not found in scripture, are a part of the traditional stations of the cross and highlight Christ’s humanity. While all four gospel accounts are referenced in this chart, typically only one gospel reading would be chosen for each station.

Image	Station	Scripture
	1. Jesus is condemned to death.	Matthew 27:11–25 Mark 15:1–5, 15 Luke 23:1–25 John 18:29–19:16
	2. Jesus is beaten and crowned with thorns.	Matthew 27: 27–30 Mark 15:15–19 Luke 22:63–65 John 19:1–3
	3. Jesus embraces the cross.	Matthew 27: 31 Mark 15: 20 Luke 23: 25 John 19: 15–17
	4. Jesus falls the first time.
	5. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross.	Matthew 27:32 Mark 15:21 Luke 23:26
	6. Jesus falls the second time.
	7. The women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus.	Luke 23:27–31
	8. Jesus falls the third time.
	9. Jesus is stripped of his garments.	Matthew 27: 33–38 Mark 15:22–26 Luke 23:33–38 John 19:23–24
	10. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross.	Matthew 27: 38–56 Mark 15: 27–41 Luke 23:39–49 John 19:25b–30
	11. Jesus is dead and is laid in the tomb.	Matthew 27:57–66 Mark 15:42–47 Luke 23: 50–56 John 19:38–42
	12. Jesus is resurrected to new life.	Matthew 28:1–10 Mark 16:1–8 Luke 24: 1–12 John 20:1–18

Meditations upon the stations may be done at any time, but is most commonly done during the Season of Lent, especially on Good Friday or on the Friday evenings during Lent.

Traditionally the following words are said in conjunction with each station:

Before each station
Leader:	We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All:	Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
After each station
All:	Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.