HARVEST PRESENTS
Stations of the Cross
Station 1: Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane
Auditorium Notes
Instructions:
For each station, you’ll follow the instructions and read the Bible verses. For this first station, begin by reading the following verses:
Read Matthew 26:36-39:
Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Instructions:
Use the pens and blank cards at the back of the auditorium to write down personal fears or anxieties. Think of things that you might be worried about now or that tend to cause you concern.
Next, proceed to Station #2, located in the Chapel. On the way, place your cards in the baskets located in the hallway. As you do, remember the agonizing of Jesus as he prayed, contemplating what would soon take place.
Follow the candles in the hallway to the left of the Auditorium into the Chapel.
Station 2: Jesus Is Betrayed by Judas and Arrested
Chapel Candles
Read Matthew 26:40-41:
Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
Instructions:
Read the first passage (above). Jesus’ disciples struggled to support him in prayer at this moment. Yet we are reminded that Jesus never fails to make intercession for us. As you reflect on this, you can light and place a candle in the chapel.
Read Matthew 26:47-50:
And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people.
The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”
Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
Instructions:
Next, proceed out the door of the Chapel to the outside sidewalk. Follow the sidewalk to Station 3, marked out by the closest tiki torches.
Station 3: Jesus Is Denied by Peter
Fire Pits
Read Luke 22:54-62:
So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”
But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”
After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.
About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”
But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.
Instructions:
Think about moments you have denied Jesus or distanced yourself from your faith. I think we’ve all been there. You might also remember a time when a friend let you down or walked away from you in a time of need. Take a moment to remember that Jesus experienced great disappointment. He understands.
Station 4: Jesus Is Judged by Pontius Pilate
Hand Washing
Reading the following passages:
Mark 15:1-5
Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law—the entire high council —met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.” Then the leading priests kept accusing him of many crimes, and Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer them? What about all these charges they are bringing against you?” But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate’s surprise.
Matthew 27:24-26
Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!” And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!” So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
Instructions:
Before heading to the next station, rinse your hands as Pilate did. Allow the Station host to pour water out for you to rinse your hands with.
When was the last time you avoided making a difficult decision to do what is right?
Station 5: Jesus Is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns
Crowns
Instructions:
This station has two replica crowns of thorns made from the Euphorbia Milli plant, native to the region around Jerusalem. Take time to hold a crown and read the passage below.
John 19:1-3
Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.
Instructions:
Think about the ridicule, scorn, and shame that Jesus endured for us. He was the true King! And yet he was mocked and beaten. Jesus submitted himself willingly to this and the pain that would follow. Take a moment to let that sink in before proceeding to the next station.
Station 6: Jesus Crucified
Cross & Nails
Instructions:
At this station you’ll see a wooden cross. Near the cross you’ll find large 6” iron nails. These were likely similar to those used to nail Jesus to the Roman cross. Hold a nail as you read the passages below.
Read Matthew 27:33-38:
And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.nstructions:
This station has two replica crowns of thorns made from the Euphorbia Milli plant, native to the region around Jerusalem. Take time to hold a crown and read the passage below.
John 19:1-3
Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.
Instructions:
Think about the ridicule, scorn, and shame that Jesus endured for us. He was the true King! And yet he was mocked and beaten. Jesus submitted himself willingly to this and the pain that would follow. Take a moment to let that sink in before proceeding to the next station.
Station 7: Jesus Dies
Seed Planting
Read John 19:25-27
Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
What tremendous love Jesus shows to care for his mom in the middle of his own crucifixion! Knowing in Jesus, we see who God is, what does this teach you about the love of God?
Read John 12:22-25
Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
Instructions (Part 1):
You will receive a seed at this station. Hold it in your hand as you read the next passage.
Read John 19:28-30:
Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Instructions (Part 2):
Jesus described his life like a seed—something that must be placed into the ground and die in order to bring new life.
As you hold this seed, reflect:
Jesus did not die by accident—he gave his life for you. Through his death, your sin can be forgiven and your life made new.
Jesus said, “It is finished.” The work of paying for sin is complete.
Where do you need to receive his forgiveness?
What are you still holding onto instead of placing it in his hands?
Will you trust him with your life today?
Now take your seed and plant it in the soil provided. As you do, remember:
What is buried with Christ is not lost—it is transformed. What is planted in death will rise in new life.
Return to the auditorium.
This concludes the Stations of the Cross Experience. Next, use the door next to the playground to re-enter the building.
Follow the hallway to re-enter the auditorium. You’re welcome to stay to mingle, pray, or connect with our prayer team if we can pray for you.
If you have any questions about Harvest, please feel free to ask anyone with a name tag.