Looking for some good devotional reading for the end of Lent and Holy Week? You and I can't do better than read Dr. Mark D. Roberts' series that began just a few days ago titled: The Stations of the Cross: A Devotional Guide for Lent and Holy Week. Roberts is the scholar-pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California.
As a Protestant, I have not been in the habit of "doing" the Stations of the Cross, and that is probably to my impoverishment.
As Mark Roberts explains,
In the Middle Ages, this practice [observing the stations of the cross] got wrapped up with the granting of indulgences (remissions of temporal punishments for sins for which we have been forgiven). The whole indulgence scene became quite messy, and was in fact one of the major reasons for the Protestant Reformation. Thus it's not surprising that Protestants didn't maintain the tradition of walking The Way of the Cross as an act of devotion.
In 1991 Pope John Paul II issued a revised list of "stations" totally faithful to the Biblical record.
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)
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)
7. Jesus takes up the cross (Mark 15:20)
8. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross (Luke 23:26)
9. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem (Luke 23:27-31 23:27-31)
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)
13. Jesus dies on the cross (Luke 23:44-46)
14. Jesus is placed in the tomb (Luke 23:50-54)
Roberts' comments are theologically rich. In addition to his commentary, each day includes the Scripture passage under consideration, a painting of the scene by his wife, and a prayer. I plan to avail myself of this wonderful resource. You can read Roberts' series here. (HT: Hugh Hewitt)