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Prologue: The First Passover

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It happened in the time of Moses.

As God prepared to send the tenth and final plague upon Egypt, He instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to choose a lamb for sacrifice, a lamb without defect, one for each household. They were to take some of the blood and smear it on the two doorposts and the lintel of their houses.

“On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn, both man and beast, in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time.” (Exodus 12: 12-14)

God’s judgment would pass through the land indiscriminately; every family subject to God’s wrath, even the Israelites. Their only hope for salvation was to take shelter under God’s sacrificial provision.

A lamb had to be slain.

A lamb without spot or blemish — slaughtered as a substitute for a sinner.

All throughout Egypt there would be either a dead lamb or a dead son. Those who marked their doorways with the blood of a lamb as an act of faith received forgiveness, and the angel of death “passed over” them. But those who did not, saw death come to their home.

Since then, God’s people commemorate the Passover. It is a law for all generations.

Station 1: Jesus Celebrates Passover
The Last Supper

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As they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is My body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14:22-25)

REFLECT

When Jesus stood up to bless the food, He held up bread. All Passover meals had bread. He blessed the wine—all Passover meals had wine. But not one of the Gospels mentions the main course… What kind of Passover would be celebrated without lamb?

There was no lamb on the table because the Lamb of God was at the table.

Jesus was the main course…

In Mark, when Jesus says, “This is my body… This is my blood… poured out,” he means: I am the One that the prophets spoke about. I am the Lamb of God to which all the other lambs pointed, the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.

(from Timothy Keller’s Jesus the King, p. 182-183)

RESPOND

As you continue on the path that Jesus took to Calvary prepare your heart to grasp the awesome depth of His love for you.

Station 2: Jesus Prays

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After the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples walked to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew the dismal fate that awaited Him and was filled with sorrow and deep despair.

He told His disciples,

“Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:40)

But they fell asleep.

It was a moment of desperation for Jesus. He fell on His face and prayed.

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44)

REFLECT

In the end, Jesus submitted to His Father. He obeyed. He took the cup. And He drank every single drop. He did it for you.

Imagine yourself that night in the garden with Jesus. He asked you to watch and pray. But what did you do? You slept and then you fled.

Think about the last time you felt fearful and alone. Did you fall on your knees to pray? Did you trust your pain to your heavenly Father?

How do we pray? When we pray it is always about us. We pray for what we want. We do not care that God wants the best for us. We want Him to see it our way. We want to control those around us, even God. And then we defy Him. We do it our way.

Still, He loves us.

RESPOND

Pray: Jesus, thank you for drinking the cup. Thank you for not giving up on me. Lord, I am afraid. The world has gone dark and dangerous. Evil and disease is all around me. I cannot make it alone. I need you Lord. Give me the strength to endure. Give me the wisdom to do what is right in Your eyes. Strengthen my faith. Teach me to trust in Your goodness and mercy. Amen.

Station 3: Jesus is Betrayed

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Jesus said to Judas, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. (Matthew 26:50)

REFLECT

The worst thing about betrayal is that it is done by someone close to you. Have you ever been betrayed? What do you do when betrayal comes?

Judas—a name synonymous with traitor. He was the scoundrel of the scriptures, history’s most notorious villain—who betrayed the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver. He was a disciple. Entrusted with the moneybag. He walked, talked, and ate with Jesus, day after day, for three years.

But one night, accompanied by a huge regiment of soldiers, Judas Iscariot approached Jesus and betrayed Him with a kiss.

Later, overcome with regret, Judas attempted to return the money to his fellow conspirators; as though doing so could erase his guilt.

The chief priests rejected Judas’ offer. They considered it blood money. And indeed it was, stained and marked with the blood of the Lamb.

Instead, two men died on trees that day. Judas took his own life, and Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many.

Jesus knew full well that Judas was a traitor. Yet he never mistreated him. Never gossiped about him. He still washed his feet. He still invited him to supper. He called him “friend.” He treated the betrayer as if he were faithful.

Jesus extends this same amazing grace to each one of us; and yet we betray him time and time again.

RESPOND

Think of the person who has hurt you the most, whose betrayal you have refused to forgive. Take a piece of paper and write that person’s name on it. From the cross Jesus asked His Father to forgive his executioners. Can you forgive?

Pray: Jesus, I ask you today to take away the anger and resentment that I have carried in my heart against (name of the person who has betrayed you). Help me walk in love, just as You loved and gave Yourself up for me. Help me forgive, just as You have forgiven me. Help me not hold any grudges against this person for another minute. Thank you Jesus that you give me your peace. Amen.

(Now tear up the piece of paper where you have written the name and throw it away.)

Station 4: Jesus is Denied

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As Peter watched from a distance, they asked him if he knew Jesus.

But Peter said, “Man I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while Peter was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62)

REFLECT

What do you do when the horror of past failures haunts you?

Peter’s crime was as dreadful as Judas’ treachery. His cowardly claims about not knowing Jesus were as bold a betrayal as Judas’ kiss. Both their actions led to unbearable guilt.

But Peter realized his sin when the rooster crowed. He remembered what Jesus said. And he was filled with sorrow.

In the garden, when their eyes locked, Judas responded to Jesus with the most diabolical kind of hypocrisy—a kiss. But in the courtyard, when Jesus looked into Peter’s eyes, Peter broke down in tears.

Judas felt a desperate regret and killed himself. Peter was filled with remorse and repented. His courage failed. But his faith did not. Peter believed in Jesus and was restored.

In our lives, what you and I do with Jesus makes all the difference.

RESPOND

Now, think of a person you have hurt, someone you have failed, big time. Have you not betrayed someone too? Do you feel that there is no hope for you? Take heart. Ask God for forgiveness. Just like He forgave Peter, He will forgive you.

Pray: Jesus, You know precisely and intimately all the dimensions of my sinful heart. There is nothing I can hide from You. But I thank You that my sin, no matter how ugly, is no match for Your grace. Thank You Jesus for convicting me without condemning me. I know that You resist the proud, but give grace to the humble—and the last thing I want is to experience Your resistance. So I humble myself before You today. Forgive me, Lord.

Please grant me the kindness, humility, and courage to ask for forgiveness from (name the person you have hurt). Help me do everything I need to do to make things right with him/her. Teach me Lord how to love like you love, without conditions or reservations, so that You may be glorified. Amen.

Station 5: Jesus is Condemned

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Then those who had seized Jesus led Him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. (Matthew 26:57)

The religious high priests wanted to put Jesus away. His presence threatened their power.

But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:63-64)

Jesus was condemned to death. Then they bound him and led him away and delivered Him to the governor, Pontius Pilate.

And the governor asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so”. (Matthew 27:2, 11b-12)

From his judgment seat Pilate addressed the multitude,

“Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let Him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has He done?” (Matthew 27:21-23a)

Troubled, Pilate washed his hands saying,

“I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” (Matthew 27:24)

REFLECT

Pilate’s question is yours today. What will you do with Jesus Christ? You can reject Him. Or accept Him. You can follow Him. Or you can walk away. It’s your choice.

RESPOND

Pray: Jesus, forgive me. I am a sinner. I have betrayed you time and time again. I deserve only punishment. But on the cross, You took the blame, and paid the price for my salvation. Your innocent blood was shed to wash away my guilt. Lord, today I choose you. I give my life to you. Give me the courage to turn away from the snares and traps of this world. Lead me Lord Jesus. I want to follow you, today and all the days of my life. Amen.

Station 6: Jesus is Mocked and Tortured

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Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe and put His own clothes on Him and led Him away to crucify Him. (Matthew 27:27-31)

REFLECT

Jesus is condemned to die a shameful death. The King of Kings wears a crown of thorns. His bloodthirsty executioners spit on Him. They take turns beating him with chains and leather thongs with iron hooks to rip into His flesh and tear away pieces of His body.

Stay on that picture for a minute.

Look. Jesus Christ is tied to a pillar to suffer pain and humiliation from His cruel torturers.

Listen. Above the din of the crowd, you hear a hissing sound each time they strike Him with their whips. Each hiss speaks your name. Each lash bears your sins.

But Jesus says nothing. He suffers quietly.

He takes it all—for you, because He loves you.

RESPOND

Pray: Jesus, You bled and suffered for me. You could have escaped the agony and death on the cross. You are God. And you have the power to do anything. But you saw me, lost in my sins and on my way to hell. And so Jesus, you willingly took the cross. You stayed. For me. And you saved me. Who can comprehend such love? I didn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it. Thank you Jesus for taking my place. Thank you for saving me. Jesus, I need you. In this dark and sinful world, walk with me. Catch me when I fall. Thank you Lord. I know I am not alone for you are always with me. Amen.

Station 7: Jesus Takes Up His Cross

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And He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. (John 19:17)

REFLECT

What or who do you look to when life gets tough?

Far more than a tool for capital punishment, the cross was a public symbol of disgust and degradation. It was hideously offensive. Obscene. Reserved for rebellious slaves, insurgents, and the vilest of criminals, it was meant not to just break a man’s body, but to crush his spirit, to humiliate as well as to harm.

Beyond the pain of the cross was the shame of the cross. Yet the Son, fully submitted to the Father’s will, freely bore it all.

Imagine the agonizing journey to Golgotha. Picture the God-man, weak, bloody and battered, staggering up the hill to meet a slow and shameful death.

Each step Jesus took was deliberate. He took each one for you.

RESPOND

Look to the cross of Christ.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Think of the most difficult thing you face right now. The loss of a job? A failing marriage? Sickness? Financial debt? Strained relationships? All of the above? Consider the current pandemic—what it might do to your future and the future of your family—and hear God say to you, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Pray: Jesus, You carried our sins and guilt without a word of reproach or complaint, because You knew it was the Father’s will. You endured suffering because You set Your eyes on the joy that was to come. Lord, help me keep my eyes on You amid the chaos. Be my light, stay with me, as I try to understand this present darkness. Amen.

Station 8: Jesus is Helped by Simon

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As they led Him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)

REFLECT

Do you ever feel like an unfair burden has been placed on your shoulders?

What a shock it must have been for this foreigner from Cyrene. He was merely passing by, eager to go about his own business, and then stumbling upon the horrific sight of a brutally beaten man being paraded in the streets, carrying the beam of his cross on the way to his execution. Simon did not volunteer for the task; he was compelled. He knew enough not to resist a Roman centurion.

Perhaps Simon was God’s answer to Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. The help He needed to get to Calvary. The help He needed to carry out his mission.

You wonder: Did Simon carry the whole cross, or just the lighter end of it? It does not matter. Simon only carried the wood of the cross. The curse of the weight of the world’s sin still rested upon Jesus’ shoulders.

RESPOND

Would you be Simon to someone today? Would you help someone carry his or her cross?

As you do, ponder on the cost of following in the footsteps of Christ.

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

Pray: Jesus, thank you that although I make many plans, in the end it is Your purpose that prevails. I plan my course, but You direct my steps. Thank you that as You redirect my life, often against my will, You also change my heart. So that with each detour from my own agenda, I begin to learn what it means to willingly, even joyfully, exchange my dreams for Yours. Today I surrender to Your plans. Disrupt my schedule. Let me be the answer to someone’s prayer. Let me be Simon in someone’s life. Even if it means that I be inconvenienced. Enlighten me that I may understand that it is not about me. It is all about You. And YOU are greater, and more valuable, and more wonderful than any plan I could have created for myself. Amen.

Amidst the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, take a moment and think of the people who are in need even of the bare necessities of life. Look around you. See with the eyes of your heart. Reach out with love.

Without Walls invites you to consider donating to the Food4DPoorPH Project. Your contribution will be used to purchase food packs for some of the most vulnerable urban poor communities impacted by the current lockdown.

Station 9: Jesus is Crucified

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And over His head they put this charge against Him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” (Matthew 27:37)

REFLECT

Would you suffer the death penalty for the crimes of another?

It was customary during crucifixions to nail an inscription on the cross containing the accusations against the person crucified. The sign Pilate placed over Jesus’ head accused Him of treason against Caesar. While the charge was false, the statement was absolutely true—Not only is Jesus King of the Jews, He is King over all!

Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7b)

By silently accepting the death sentence for the false claims against Him, Jesus became the willing substitute sin-bearer for countless legitimate charges that God could hold against us. Jesus, our Scapegoat, took our sin upon Himself, bearing the weight of our guilt and shame and carried it far away from us.

That day in Calvary, God did not just make salvation possible for sinners; He made it certain.

The Lamb of God was slain, fully satisfying God’s wrath on our behalf.

For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22)

RESPOND

Behold Christ crucified! See today what many missed two thousand years ago in Calvary:

God cancelled the record of the charges against us. He took it away by nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:14)

Jesus took our place on the cross. He who knew no sin became sin for us. And at that very moment our debt was cancelled, paid for, taken away.

Think of one sin in your life that you have not given up. What is God showing you right now?

Pray: Jesus, you know my heart. You see my life. You know my sins. Thank you for taking my sins and nailing them to your cross. Thank you that You do not just offer me forgiveness; You offer me Your very righteousness. Thank you that you do not just offer me a second chance at life; You offer me Yourself—the perfect substitute who did it right the first (and only) chance He got, and whose righteousness is perfectly sufficient to earn the Father’s approval. Thank you that Your perfection is forever credited to my account, if I only believe. I believe today, Lord! Thank you I can now walk in freedom and newness of life. Thank you for your peace.

Station 10: Jesus Speaks to Mary and John

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When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, He said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19: 26-27)

REFLECT

Do you think God is too busy with big world problems to care about your everyday needs?

At this moment Jesus is carrying out the most important act in human history—the salvation of man. He is fastened to the cross by spikes on His hands and feet. He has been stripped of His garments and humiliated. His completely brutalized body hangs on the cross. He is in agony.

Suddenly, Jesus sees His mother. He sees her. And a new pain grips Him.

Through His labored breathing, He speaks to make sure His mother will be cared for after His death.

Consider the dimensions of God’s love. How far reaching yet how deeply intimate. He cares enough to fulfill the most significant need of the world, and yet stops to meet even the most insignificant needs of your own life.

He sees you. All of you. Every single detail of your life.

RESPOND

St. Peter said:

“Cast all your cares, anxieties, worries, and all your concerns—once and for all—on Jesus, because He sees you and loves you with the deepest love.” (1 Peter 5:7 AMP, paraphrased)

To cast means to hurl or throw something away forcefully. Like casting a heavy fishing net upon the sea.

Now think about your own tangled mess of anxieties. Decide today to fling them away as hard as you can, as far as you can, out of your reach, and out of your heart—into God’s hands.

Pray: Jesus, thank you that you see me. You see all of my fears and worries, my doubts and disappointments, my shame and my sin.  You see it all and You do not turn your face away. Oh, how you love me! Your cross declares your love for me! Your cross tells me you not only see me, but you are also WITH me.  You are with me through it all.  And so, as I cast all my cares upon you, help me to believe that you, Jesus, are all I really need in this life. You are more than enough. Amen.

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