The Truth of the Crucifixion
- Lauren
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
“So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.” - John 19:16-17
Have you ever thought about what it would have been like to witness Jesus’ crucifixion? During the season of Lent, we have the opportunity to reflect deeply on the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf 2,000 years ago. Many people may not want to consider the details, because the crucifixion is a painful thing to think about. I remember the first time I watched the movie, The Passion of the Christ.1 I was completely horrified, as I glanced down at the crucifix around my neck and saw it in a whole new light.
However, I see the crucifixion as a brutally honest, yet extremely important reminder of the magnitude of God’s love for us. It is crucial that we do not forget what God did on our behalf. While the details can be painful, the message is clear: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Jesus endured so much for us.
I continue to wear a crucifix not to keep Christ on the cross, but as a reminder of His sacrifice for me. The crucifix is a sign of the great love God has for His people. Especially in the moments that I struggle to love myself, the crucifix is a reminder that there is a God who loves me more than I could ever imagine.
A powerful way to reflect on the truth of Christ’s crucifixion is to pray The Stations of the Cross. I was raised praying the Stations on Fridays during Lent, and I find that these Stations provide a moving description of Jesus’ journey to Golgotha. There are fourteen stations of the cross:
Station 1 – Jesus is Condemned to Death
Station 2 – Jesus Takes Up His Cross
Station 3 – Jesus Falls for the First Time
Station 4 – Jesus Meets His Mother
Station 5 – Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Station 6 – Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Station 7 – Jesus Falls a Second Time
Station 8 – Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Station 9 – Jesus Falls for the Third Time
Station 10 – Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Station 11 – Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Station 12 – Jesus Dies on the Cross
Station 13 – Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Station 14 – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
By praying the Stations, we are invited into the events of Good Friday. We walk with Jesus as he makes his trek up to Golgotha. I invite you to reflect on the Stations of the Cross this Lenten season. Linked below you will find a couple of resources to assist you in praying the Stations.2 You also can head to any local Catholic Church on Fridays during Lent.
Jesus is waiting for you. I hope that you will approach Him this Lent.
In Christ,
Lauren
Footnotes:
1 Gibson, Mel, Director. 2004. The Passion of the Christ. Samuel Goldwyn Films. 127 minutes. https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Christ-Jim-Caviezel/dp/B08BBPQJ3T
2“Stations of the Cross,” EWTN Global Catholic Television Network, accessed March 21, 2025, https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/stations-of-the-cross-12706.
“What Are the Stations of the Cross?,” Dynamic Catholic, accessed March 21, 2025, https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/lent/stations-of-the-cross.html.
All scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible
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