Imagine being punished for something you didn’t do. Imagine taking the punishment for someone else. Now imagine doing it willfully. Jesus, who was God, became man, and loved us so much that after living a perfect life chose to take on our just punishment and be condemned, beaten, and ultimately killed for our sins. Jesus endured so much and He did it for you.
Read: Matthew 27:21-31
21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
At This Station
Question to ponder
How deep must Jesus’ love be to endure this unjust condemnation and beating for us?
Action to take
Touch the sharpness of the thorns of the crown. Tie a knot in the hanging strips of leather to symbolize a sin Jesus suffered for.
Prayer
Father, thank you for the love and sacrifice of Your Son. I am overwhelmed by the pain He must have endured on my behalf and am broken because of His love for me.
KiDS
Take a piece of leather for their bag. Tell them that Jesus loves them so much that He wants to forgive their sins and tie His life to their lives.
Click “Complete & Continue” when you’re ready to move on to the next station.

