(Tuesdays and Fridays)
The Agony in the Garden
1. The Agony in the Garden
(Mt. 26:30, 36-40; Mk. 14:26, 32-42; Lk. 22:39-53; Jn. 18:1)
After the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, Jesus takes the Apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. With Peter, James, and John falling asleep nearby, Jesus undergoes a profound agony. At the same time, Judas Iscariot leads a crowd there to arrest Him.
The Scourging at the Pillar
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
(Mt. 27:26; Mk. 15:15; Jn. 19:1; cf. Lk. 18:33)
At the cries of the people, Pontius Pilate orders his Roman soldiers to scourge Jesus. The Precious Blood of Christ is spilled by the fierce assault. Consider how much the Lord endured out of love for us, to save us from our sins!
The Crowning with Thorns
3. The Crowning with Thorns
(Mt. 27:27-30; Mk. 15:16-19; Jn. 19:2-5)
Because Jesus had been called the King of the Jews, the soldiers mock Him by crowning Him with a crown of thorns. They strike Him and spit at Him while pretending to show Him honor. To mock Him even further, they dress Him in a purple cloak, as if in a royal robe, and display Him this way before the crowd.
The Carrying of the Cross
4. The Carrying of the Cross
(Mt. 27:31-34; Mk.15:20-23; Lk. 23:26-33; Jn. 19:16-17)
Condemned to Crucifixion, Jesus carries His own Cross to “the place of the skull” on Mount Calvary, outside the city walls. He is harassed along the narrow streets by the hostile crowd, but some women show Him pity. Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Him carry the Cross. Jesus falls several times along the way.
The Crucifixion
5. The Crucifixion
(Mt. 27:35-56; Mk.15:24-41; Lk. 23:33-49; Jn. 19:18-30)
Stripped of His clothes, Jesus is nailed to the Cross through His hands and feet. His mother is present, with John, Mary Magdalene, and other women. People taunt Him as He speaks His last words. He forgives His offenders. Around three o’clock, He dies.