Q: Homer ,
PAX: Tinder, Freud, Pigskin, All-In, Meatloaf, Formica, Gilmore, Precious, Prime-Time, Loud Mouth, Chef, Paterno, Decal, Homer, Drebin, Double-wide, (Ratatouille) 38- (01/108) 03/30/26, YouTube, Miyagi, Beethoven, Val, E.T., T-Bone, Yard Sale, Snooki, Shake and Bake, Mutt, Drive by, Big Squeeze, Double Fault(40/100 posts), SunnyD
FNGs: 1 SunnyD
COUNT: 31
Opening Intro
Alright men… before we take off, I want to take a minute to explain what we’re about to do.
This is called the Stations of the Cross. It’s something Christians have done for centuries to walk through the final hours of Jesus… His suffering, His death, and ultimately His resurrection.
Now listen… whether you’re a Christian or not, you’re welcome here. No pressure. No expectations. We’re not putting on a show this morning. The goal is just to slow down… think… and consider something that has shaped history and changed millions of lives.
At each stop, I’m going to read a short passage from the Bible, give a quick thought, and then leave you with a question to wrestle with as we walk to the next station. You don’t have to say anything out loud… just think on it.
If you’re a believer, this is about remembering what Jesus has done for you. If you’re not sure what you believe, this is just an opportunity to consider who Jesus is… and why this still matters.
Alright… let’s ruck.
Before Leaving – Station 1 – Jesus is Condemned
Luke 23:18–24 (ESV):
18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.
Jesus stands innocent… and is condemned anyway. Not because He deserved it, but because we did. Barabbas is released. We are Barabbas. We’re also the crowd. Our sin condemns Jesus and we are released at the same time. The guilty go free because the innocent takes our place.
Pain Station – 5 Hand Release Merkins – Consider the Substitution of Jesus the condemned.
Before Leaving – Station 2 – Jesus Takes Up His Cross
Luke 9:23 (ESV):
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”
Jesus didn’t avoid the cross… He chose it. And then He tells us following Him looks the same. Not comfort… but surrender.
Question: What am I holding onto that I need to lay down?
Toward Bridge – Station 3 – Jesus Falls the First Time
Isaiah 53:4 (ESV):
“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.”
The weight here isn’t just physical… it’s the weight of sin. Ours. He’s carrying what belongs to us.
Question: Do we really understand what my sin cost?
Pain Station – Down and up the stairs
Toward end of Main Street by OTF – Station 4 – Jesus Meets His Mother
John 19:25 (ESV):
“But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
In the middle of all this pain… He still sees His mother. Still cares. Still loves.
Question: Do I see people around me… even when I’m hurting?
Still on Main – Before Leaving Station 5 – Simon Helps Carry the Cross
Mark 15:21 (ESV):
“And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene… to carry his cross.”
Simon didn’t wake up planning for this… but God had other plans. Sometimes obedience shows up unexpectedly.
Question: Am I willing to step in when it’s inconvenient?
Straight line walking with cross to front. Pax step in and hand off cross. Continue around city hall toward plaza back steps and to bowl top.
Top of Bowl – Station 6 – Legend of Veronica – Compassion Shown
Some parts of the Stations of the Cross come straight from the Bible… and some parts are traditions people added later to help picture what it might have been like. Veronica is one of those traditions. It’s a touching idea… but the Bible doesn’t tell us that story.
Matthew 25:40 (ESV):
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Compassion matters. When we look at our fellow man…. All are created in the image of God.
Question: When was the last time I showed real compassion?
Bowl top side. Station 7 – Jesus Falls the Second Time
Following God doesn’t mean easy. It means purpose in the middle of the struggle.
Pain station – Down and Up bowl.
Bowl Top Side. Station 8 – Jesus Speaks to the Women
Luke 23:28 (ESV):
“But turning to them Jesus said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.’”
Jesus doesn’t ask for pity… He calls for repentance. This is bigger than emotion.
Question: Do I take sin seriously… or brush it off?
Bowl Top Side. Station 9 – Jesus Falls the Third Time
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV):
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
At His weakest… God’s plan is still moving forward. Strength shows up when ours runs out.
Question: Am I relying on myself… or on God?
Pain station – Down and Up bowl to lake
Down to Lake – Station 10 – Jesus is Stripped
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV):
“Looking to Jesus… who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame…”
Public shame… humiliation… and He still endures it. Why… because He sees what’s on the other side.
Question: Am I willing to be uncomfortable for what matters most?
Pain Station – Bear Crawl or Lunge walk for 60 seconds, then continue as a group to stage.
Stage – Station 11 – Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Luke 23:33–34 (ESV):
“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him… And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”
Nails in His hands… and He responds with forgiveness. That’s not normal… that’s mercy and grace. Grace is receiving something you don’t deserve. Mercy is not receiving something you DO deserve.
Pain Station: 60 second plank
Question: Who do I need to forgive?
Ruck up to top of bowl in grass area facing stage
Station 12 – Jesus Dies on the Cross
John 19:28-30 (ESV):
“28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
“It is finished” means the debt is paid. Nothing left to prove. Nothing left to do. The work is His. Not ours.
Pain Station – Alphabet with Legs – TETELESTAI – IT IS FINISHED!
Question: Am I still trying to earn what Jesus already finished?
After Pain Station – Station 13 – Jesus is Taken Down
Isaiah 53:5 (ESV):
“But he was pierced for our transgressions He was crushed by our iniquities. The Punishment for our Peace was on Him. and with his wounds we are healed.”
This is the cost… not theoretical… real. Sin isn’t small… and neither is grace.
Question: Do I treat sin lightly… or seriously?
Ruck to Cemetery Spot
Cemetery – Station 14 – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
Matthew 27:59–60 (ESV):
“And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb…”
Silence. Darkness. It feels like the end… but God isn’t finished.
Question: Where in my life does it feel like hope is gone?
Prayer
Back to Town Hall Corner – Station 15 – The Resurrection
Matthew 28:5–6 (ESV):
“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.’”
This changes everything… He’s alive. Sin loses. Death loses. Jesus wins.
Question: Am I living like that’s true?
Closing
What we just walked through is the core of the Christian message.
The Bible says every one of us has sinned… we’ve all missed the mark. And that’s not just guilt… that’s separation from God. But what we just saw is that Jesus stepped in. He lived the life we couldn’t live… and died the death we deserved. And then He rose from the grave… proving that sin and death don’t get the last word.
That means this isn’t about trying harder or being a better guy… it’s about responding to what’s already been done.
If you’re a Christian… the question is, are you living like that’s actually true?
If you’re not sure what you believe… don’t ignore this. At some point, you’ve got to decide what you believe about Jesus. And if you want to talk about that… I’m here for it.
Appreciate you men showing up, pushing through, and being willing to think about something deeper today.
