A Lenten Journey

In western Christianity Lent is the 40 days before Easter. While there are some differences between denominations it can be considered to begin with Ash Wednesday and continue until the Saturday before Easter (note that Sundays are not counted as they represent the crucification). Lent is supposed to be a time of reflection, prayer, becoming closer to God and His word, and a time of sacrifice. It symbolizes the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert before he began his ministry. It was a time of prayer and a time to stand against the temptations of Satan. Lent has become a time that leads up to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection (Easter Sunday). To experience the 40 days "in the desert" Christians often set a time of prayer and reflection and then fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. Additionally, some sacrifice a practice that is dear to them like watching television or dining out.

As a testament to the Lenten Season churches often study the last days of Jesus before his crucifixion. This study serves to reinforce the enormity of Jesus' prayer and adherence to the Will of God and His ultimate sacrifice for our redemption. Most Christians do not realize that this journey through the Lenten Season follows the Catholic "Stations of the Cross." Mel Gibson's film, "The Passion of Christ" which was released several years ago brought these "Stations of the Cross" to the big screen for everyone watching to understand the great sacrifice our Lord and Savior made. This journey will be the one that this study focuses on.

The origins of the "Stations of the Cross" is unclear, however, most scholars believe that they were instituted to allow those who could not travel to Jerusalem to go on a pilgrimage by focuses on the key events of Jesus’ last days. It is unfortunate that they became entangled with the practice of the granting of indulgences as this was one of the reasons for the Protestant Reformation. Probably, why the Protestants do not follow the tradition. Additionally, Christians should be made aware that in 1991 the Pope instituted a new series of fourteen Stations of Cross, each of which was based on Scripture alone. The chart below shows both the traditional and the revised stations (with Scripture references). Our Lenten Study will closely follow these "Biblical" stations so that we might better appreciate our redemption.

Traditional	Biblical
	1. Jesus on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39-46)
	2. Jesus, betrayed by Judas, is arrested (Luke 22:47-48)
	3. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin (Luke 22:66-71)
	4. Peter denies Jesus (Luke 22:54-62)
1. Jesus is condemned to death	5. Jesus is judged by Pilate (Luke 23:13-25)
	6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns (Luke 22:63-65; John 19:2-3)
2. Jesus takes up his cross	7. Jesus takes up the cross (Mark 15:20)
3. Jesus falls for the first time
4. Jesus meets his mother
5. Jesus is helped by Simon the Cyrene to carry his cross	8. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross (Luke 23:26)
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7. Jesus falls for the second time
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem	9. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem (Luke 23:27-31)
9. Jesus falls for the third time
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross	10. Jesus is crucified (Luke 23:33, 47)
	11. Jesus promises his Kingdom to the good thief (Luke 23:33-34, 39-43)
	12. Jesus on the cross, his mother and his disciple (John 19:25-27)
12. Jesus dies on the cross	13. Jesus dies on the cross (Luke 23:44-46)
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross and given to his mother
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb	14. Jesus is placed in the tomb(Luke 23:50-54)