Approximately 2,016 years ago, God couldn’t walk. He had to be carried everywhere, like most babies.
2,015 years ago, God took some staggering first steps, fell, and scraped his knee. He cried, and his mother wiped away his tears and told him to try again. Or maybe he still crawled everywhere. Some toddlers are late bloomers.
2,010 years ago, God ran across the street in a small town with the other kids, perhaps playing a version of soccer. He might not have been very good at it.
2,000 years ago, God walked across the dirt floor of a carpenter’s shop and probably got a splinter stuck in his big toe.
1,986 years ago, God hoofed it all over the countryside, talking to people and healing them of diseases. He more than likely stepped in sheep dung at least once and had to wipe his sandals on the grass.
1,983 years ago, God walked the streets of Jerusalem, bloodied and beaten, carrying a rough-hewn beam of wood on his back. His feet failed him, and someone stronger had to carry the cross for him.
We easily forget that Jesus Christ was one with the Father, he was God. Through his life he showed us how to live here on earth, and through his death and resurrection he secured our salvation. Through an entire sinless life—even in the unwritten mundane ways—Jesus placed before us both a standard and a directive. We are to walk in his steps, through his strength, for God’s glory. We worship a God who has walked in our shoes, and our highest hope and assurance is that we may walk in his.
This liturgy includes elements of the traditional Stations of the Cross, presenting glimpses of the last moments God physically walked on this earth incognito. To help the worshiper enter this story consider projecting the artwork suggested in this article or invite members of your community to create pieces to go with each section.
Prelude
“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” arr. Mark Hayes (piano; © 2006 Lorenz)
“Lamb of God,” arr. Lloyd Larson (piano; © 2006 Hope)
“In the Cross of Christ I Glory” arr. John Carter (organ, © 1996 Hope)
Welcome
Opening Prayer
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
God of power and mercy, in love you sent your Son
that we might be cleansed of sin and live with you forever.
Bless us as we gather to reflect on your suffering and death
that we may learn from your example the way we should go.
We ask this through that same Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
—from traditional Stations of the Cross liturgy
The Garden of Gethsemane
Art
“Prayer at Gethsemane” He Qi, 1999
(http://tinyurl.com/hlpzf9u)
Reader
Matthew 26:36-41
Prayer
Lord of power and might,
in this moment, you submitted yourself to the Father.
We are weak and weary.
Our spirits are willing, sometimes.
May we keep watch on this dark night with you, for you, because of you.
We submit our wills and our prayers to you, knowing that you hear.
May we accept your plans as exceedingly greater than we can imagine.
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps. Amen.
Song
“Go to Dark Gethsemane” (st. 1&2) Montgomery
Alternate Suggestions
“Shadows Lengthen into Night” (st. 1-4) Bringle
“Stay with Me” (sing twice) Taizé
“Deep Night Has Hushed Gethsemane” Singing the New Testament 100
Betrayed by Judas
Art
“Betrayal of Christ” Michelangelo Caravaggio, 1603
(http://tinyurl.com/jvx8454)
Reader
Mark 14:43-46
Prayer
O faithful Friend,
in this moment, you surrendered yourself into the hands of a faithless friend.
With the symbol of love and trust, you were betrayed;
that you would be a steadfast companion
to all who accept your offer of friendship.
May we turn to you now in loyalty and love,
and remember your faithfulness to all generations.
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps. Amen.
Song
“Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended” (st. 1 & 2) Heermann
Alternate Suggestions
“Jesus Set His Face” (st. 4 & 5) DeMey
“Behold the Lamb of God” (st. 10 & 11) Keithahn
Denied by Peter
Art
“The Denial of Saint Peter,” Michelangelo Caravaggio, 1610
(http://tinyurl.com/z29h6or)
Reader
Matthew 26:69-75
Prayer
Resolute Savior,
in this moment, your strongest follower proved to be a coward.
So often we waver and whimper our way through life.
When we hang out with like-minded people, we are bold and brazen.
When we face hostile consequences,
we are ashamed of you and ashamed of the gospel, like Peter.
Give us the courage to claim your name with boldness.
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps. Amen.
Song
“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Arnulf
Alternate Suggestions
“Once Again” Redman
“Bitter Was the Night” Carter
Judged by Pilate
Art
“Christ Before Pilate,” Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308-11
(http://tinyurl.com/hd5q334)
Reader
Mark 15:1-5, 11-15
Prayer
O just Judge,
in this moment, you made yourself weak
and gave your enemies power over you.
Your trial was rigged, your jury blinded by jealousy, and your judges unjust.
As sinners, you judge us with honesty and equity –
based upon your holiness, we have been found guilty.
As our Savior, you took our punishment as your own;
Based upon your sacrifice, we have been made righteous.
In response, may our hearts be grateful,
our attitudes toward others gracious, and our lives holy.
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps. Amen.
Song
“Man of Sorrows, What a Name” (verses 1, 2, 3) Bliss
Alternate Suggestions
“What Grace Is This” Gauger
“Meekness and Majesty” Kendrick
Scourged and Crowned with Thorns
Art
“The Mocking of Christ,” Peter Rogers, 1961
(http://tinyurl.com/zhdfqqk)
Reader
John 19:1-3
Prayer
O suffering Servant,
in this moment, you endured scorn and ridicule from those you came to save.
You were crushed for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.
The punishment that brought us peace was placed upon you,
and with your stripes we are healed.
May we see your sacrifice clearly, feel your suffering deeply,
and hear your voice calling us to repentance and holiness.
Lord, we come.
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps. Amen.
Song
“Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” Watts
Alternate Suggestions
“Blood Was on the Crown of Thorns” (st. 1-3) Jensen
“Calvary” African-American spiritual
Crucified
Art
“Crucified tree form,” Theyre Lee-Elliott, 1959
(http://tinyurl.com/zbq7wgp)
Reader
John 19:15-17; Luke 23:33-34
Prayer
Healer of the broken, we broke you.
Binder of the wounded, we wounded you.
Lamb of God, we slaughtered you.
Yet it was the Father’s will that you be crushed,
that your life be a bloody sacrifice for our sin.
You emptied out your life unto death, that we may have life overflowing.
May this be ever before us, never far from us, always within us:
while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Blessed are those whose sin the Lord will never count against them.
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps. Amen.
Song
“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” Clephane
Alternate Suggestions
“Oh, to See the Dawn (The Power of the Cross)” Getty, Townend
“Amazing Love” Foote
Promises His Kingdom to the Thief
Art
“Christ and the Thief,” Nikolai Ge, 1893
(http://tinyurl.com/h6z9eep)
Reader
Luke 23:39-43
Prayer
O lover of the Unlovely,
in this moment, you made straight the path
for a crooked thief to enter your rest.
Our ways are bent, and our hearts are twisted,
but the kingdom of God is not populated by perfect spiritual specimens.
We are in a holy company of thieves, prostitutes, murderers, and liars
who have met God, in Christ.
Remind us of the grace that does not give us what we truly deserve.
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps. Amen.
Song
“Jesus, Remember Me” (sing twice) Taizé Community
Alternate Suggestions
“Behold the Lamb” Getty
“Beneath the Cross” Getty
Dies on the Cross
Art
“And the Curtain of the Temple Was Torn in Two” Kirsten Malcolm Berry
(http://tinyurl.com/zykyaps)
Reader
Luke 23:44-46
Prayer
Oh Giver of life,
in this moment, you gave yours up for us.
Through the rending of your flesh,
a way was made for us to enter your presence.
Remind us of the depth of this death and the breadth of your love,
that we, ever thankful, may die to ourselves daily
and live a life worthy of your sacrifice.
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps. Amen.
Song
“Amazing Grace” Tsosie
Alternate Suggestions
“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” Clephane
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” Watts
“When the Son of God Was Dying” The Iona Community
Placed in the Tomb
Art
“The Entombment,” Rembrandt, 1639
(http://tinyurl.com/jd9l7dl)
Reader
Matthew 27:57-60
Prayer
Oh Rock of our salvation,
in this moment, all hope was sealed away.
May we remember the silence of your grave, and keep silence.
Song
“Were You There” (st. 3 & 4) Afro-American spiritual
Alternate Suggestions
“There Is a Redeemer” Green
“What Wondrous Love Is This” S. Mead's A General Selection, 1811
Communion
Art
“The Last Supper,” John August Swanson, 2014
(http://tinyurl.com/j6xjbzu)
Passing of the Bread
“Let Us Break Bread Together,” arr. John Carter (piano; © 1990 Hope)
“How Beautiful,” arr. Phillip Keveren (piano, © 2000 Hal Leonard)
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (piano, © 2013 Beckenhorst)
“Let Us Break Bread Together,” arr. Albert Zabel (organ; © 2008 Hope)
Passing of the Cup
“Nothing but the Blood,” arr. Brian Büda (piano; © 2015 SoundForth)
“There Is a Fountain,” arr. Mark Hayes (piano; © 2006 Lorenz)
“There Is a Fountain,” arr. Donald Hustad (organ; © 1996 Hope)
“As We Gather at Your Table,” arr. Joshua Evanovich (organ, © 2013 Hope)
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
your death is the sacrifice that unites earth and heaven;
through your blood you have reconciled us to you.
May we who have faithfully reflected on these mysteries
follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven
where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
—from traditional Stations of the Cross liturgy
Song
“What Wondrous Love” S. Mead's A General Selection, 1811
Alternate Suggestions
“There Is a Redeemer” Green
“In the Cross of Christ I Glory” Bowring
Congregation departs in silence.
