Station 6 - The Promise - Golgotha
Golgotha – The Promise
Gather together at the signpost pointing the way to Golgotha
Reader: The Jewish leaders handed Jesus over to Pilate, the Roman governor, to be sentenced. But Pilate couldn’t find anything that he was guilty of. The crowd turned against Jesus and shouted louder and louder. ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ Finally Pilate gave in and the soldiers lad Jesus away. They put a purple robe around his shoulders and a crown of thorns upon his head. Jesus was made to carry a heavy cross on his shoulders to a hill outside the city wall called ‘The Place of the Skull’
Let us walk together to Golgotha
Gather in front of the crosses
The story
Jesus was crucified on a cross
Two criminals had also been sentenced to death and were crucified that day with Jesus. One of them began shouting insults at Jesus, ‘I thought you were the Christ; then save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal stopped him and said ‘You should fear God. We are being punished for what we have done wrong and getting what we deserve, but this man Jesus has done nothing wrong!’ Then he turned to Jesus and said, ‘’Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise’
Reflection
The cross is a special symbol for Christians because it helps them remember that Jesus died so that those who believe in him will be forgiven and have a fresh start.
Response
Use the natural materials around you to help make a cross on the ground. As you do, think about the things that have happened in your life or in the world that have gone wrong and need forgiveness. When others see the cross it will help remind them that our God is a loving God who forgives everyone who is truly sorry.