Stations of The Cross

Many Catholic churches have, around their walls, fouteen “stations” (sometimes with pictures or carvings) representing Jesus’ sorrows from His sentence of death to His being put in the tomb. Based on the four Gospels, the stations are: (1) He is condemned to death by Pilate. (2) He is made to bear His cross. (3) He falls the first time. (4) He meets His sorrowing mother. (5) Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross. (6) A woman (traditionally named Veronica) wipes Jesus’ face. (7) He falls a second time. (8) Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem. (9) He falls a third time. (10) He is stripped of His garments. (11) He is nailed to the cross. (12) He dies. (13) He is taken from the cross. (14) He is laid in the tomb. Some of the incidents, like number 6, are based on old traditions, not on the Gospels.
Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land actually walked the “way of the cross” in and near Jerusalem. Churches began setting up the fourteen “stations” so that those who could not actually visit Jerusalem could reenact the pilgrimage as a devotional exercise.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Fighting for the Truth and Love

John MacArthur

In a world where truth is under attack, few rise to defend it. But let's remember that our apathy won't be an excuse before Christ. In Revelation, we see how He rebuked the churches that tolerated falsehood. Let's do the same, bravely defend the truth.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Holy Hatred of Sin

John MacArthur

We desperately need to recover a holy hatred of sin. We need to do this corporately as a church, but we also need to do it individually as believers. Sin is surely not a pleasant subject to study or preach on, but it is necessary.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Calm And Quiet

David Jeremiah

According to medical researchers at Duke University, there is a “vicious cycle” involving insomnia, anxiety, and depression. It’s sort of a “which came first: the chicken or the egg?” scenario.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Rope of Prayer

David Jeremiah

Daniel was a man who communicated with heaven. He prayed fervently, consistently, and for the will of God. He knew nothing of praying only before meals, at bedtime, and when he really needed God’s help.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Initiative Against Depression

Oswald Chambers

A human being is capable of depression, otherwise there would be no capacity for exaltation. There are things that are calculated to depress, things that are of the nature of death; and in taking an estimate of yourself, always take into account the capacity for depression.