Few times of year lend themselves to pilgrimage and contemplation like Easter. For forty days, Christians have before them the opportunity to examine their own path and compare it with the incredible journey undertaken by Christ, from the agony of the garden to the glory of the resurrection. By sharing her journey, Tricia Rhodes provides the tools to cultivate the cross within and the inspiration to accept the Father's summons to kneel in its shadow. Scripture and daily exercises gently nourish the spiritual traveler, while journal pages wait to hold the story of personal reflection.

More encompassing than a devotional, more intimate than a mere yardstick of faith, Contemplating the Cross will become a treasured keepsake.

"May God touch your deepest soul and brand you with the fire of His devotion as you contemplate the cross of Christ." Tricia Rhodes

CONTEMPLATING THE Cross

A 40-Day Pilgrimage of PrayerBy Tricia McCary Rhodes

W Publishing Group

Copyright © 2007 Tricia McCary Rhodes
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8499-4548-9

Contents

Acknowledgments...............................................viiIntroduction..................................................ixAgony in the GardenDay 1: The Beginning of the End.............................1Day 2: Man of Sorrows.......................................5Day 3: Only the Father......................................9Day 4: In Struggle We See Him...............................13The ArrestDay 5: Human ... and Weak....................................19Day 6: Resolution............................................23Day 7: Betrayed by a Kiss....................................27Day 8: Alone.................................................31The TrialsDay 9: Questioned...........................................37Day 10: At a Distance........................................42Day 11: Accused..............................................47Day 12: Things He Could Have Said............................52Day 13: Hoping for a Sign....................................57The SentencingDay 14: Absolved.............................................63Day 15: Scourged.............................................67Day 16: Final Questioning....................................72Day 17: Crucify Him!.........................................76Day 18: Sentenced............................................80CalvaryDay 19: Led Away.............................................87Day 20: Via Dolorosa.........................................91Day 21: Golgotha.............................................95Day 22: Nailed to a Cross....................................99CrucifixionDay 23: Forgiveness..........................................105Day 24: King of the Jews.....................................109Day 25: Mocked...............................................113Day 26: Scorned..............................................117Day 27: Two Responses........................................121Day 28: One Last Act of Caring...............................125Day 29: Darkness.............................................129DeathDay 30: Forsaken.............................................135Day 31: Thirsty..............................................139Day 32: It Is Finished.......................................143Day 33: The End..............................................147Day 34: The Earth Responds...................................150Day 35: Reactions............................................154Day 36: Water and Blood......................................157Day 37: Taken Down...........................................162Day 38: Myrrh and Aloe.......................................167Day 39: The Sabbath..........................................172Day 40: The Resurrection.....................................176Epilogue: The Rest of the Story...............................183Suggestions for Small Group Contemplation.....................187Resources.....................................................199About the Author..............................................201

Chapter One

The Beginning of the End

He who knows not the Christ of Calvary knows not God, and he who does not thus know, knows not anything that is worth knowing. -R. E. March

Reflect

Quiet your heart before God. Seek to release the worries, cares, distractions, and decisions of your day into the Holy Spirit's hands.

Read the following verses out loud as a prayer and invitation to the Lord:

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. -Psalm 25:4-5 NIV

Invite Jesus to open your spiritual eyes in a new way. Welcome Him as your companion and guide on this spiritual journey.

Think about the Cross for a few minutes. What images come to your mind? Does the thought of the Cross touch you deeply, or has familiarity with Christ's death produced complacency?

What would you like God to do within you through this journey? Write this out as a prayer.

Read

He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. -Luke 22:39 NASB

As was His custom ... These are telling words about where Jesus will spend His final hours of freedom. The Mount of Olives is a familiar place. He has been here often, only a week ago descending from it on a donkey, the crowds crying hosannas and laying palm branches at His feet.

On the nights following the triumphal entry, while His followers found rest in homes preparing for Passover, Jesus most likely slept here. He didn't have to travel far, just a few hundred feet up a stone path off the Jericho road.

What consumed His thoughts in those lonely hours? Was He exhausted from long days of teaching and healing in the temple below? Did He struggle to summon enough energy to walk down each morning, knowing the demands for His touch would be endless and overwhelming? Tonight on this mountain great anguish awaits the Messiah, but has He agonized here before over the coming Crucifixion?

The full moon illuminates the way, regal cypress trees swaying in the breeze against the sable sky. Surely a quiet gloom accompanies them; Jesus talking, the men trying to keep pace, not wanting to miss a word. Once in a while He stops and faces them, expressing wistful thoughts and distant dreams.

He speaks of love-His love for the Father, His love for them, and their love for one another. Perhaps the intimacy is unsettling. It takes time to comprehend such words. But time is running out. They move on, following their beloved Rabbi.

Stopping near a gate, Jesus gazes at the starry host above. Then, lifting His hands to His Father, He prays a long, poignant prayer for these faithful few. When He is done, He searches their faces for a sign of comprehension. Seeing only questions in their eyes He cannot answer, the Son of God turns toward the entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane.

It is a beautiful place, the night air in the foothills warm, the breeze from the brook Kidron blowing gently. The Garden's huge twisted-trunk olive trees are laden with fruit. At harvest, the olives will be pressed until precious oil fills the vats. This "place of crushing" is a fitting finale for the One whose life's breath will soon be pressed from Him.

As was His custom ... The mount is fraught with familiarity, even to Judas, the missing disciple, who within a few hours will confidently lead the army of betrayers to the Savior's side.

Jesus surveys the city for which He has known such deep compassion one last time. What does He see? Families relaxing, stomachs full and hearts warmed by Passover celebrations? Children being tucked in and candles snuffed out? Is the air peppered with the rumble of conversation or outbursts of innocent laughter among friends?

Amid all this, does Jesus behold a lost and dying world of people, ignorant of their own need, unaware of the price He will soon pay to find a place in their hearts? As He gazes into the darkness below, what grips His soul?

It is the beginning of the end. As night takes hold, the blackest days of Christ's short stint with humanity close in. Within hours, all of history will be catapulted toward that event for which there is no turning back. The beginning of the end.

Respond

The journey to the cross is one of introspection. It is a time for mourning over the sins we have committed that nailed Jesus there. In Scripture, ashes were often a sign of repentance. Many people begin their journey to the cross on Ash Wednesday (first day of the Lenten season) by having a cross of ashes put on their foreheads to symbolize their repentance of sin and need for a Savior (Job 42:6; Jeremiah 6:26; Matthew 11:21).

Today, reflect on your own need. Consider your personal sin and disobedience. Ask God to give you the gift of mourning before Him as you begin this journey. Know that even as you may grieve, you will receive afresh the love of Christ, who died for you.

When God has spoken or moved you in some way, write a prayer of response. This might include words of praise, confession, petition, worship, or even questions you have. Be authentic as you open your heart.

Prayer

Lord, let me walk with You through these final hours. Let me hold Your hurt, live in Your loneliness, and experience what it cost You to go the distance. In embracing Your pain, may I comprehend the depths of Your love. In grappling with Your grief, may I grasp the wonder of Your grace. And in dying Your despicable death, may I gain my own soul. I do not ask these things lightly. I know I cannot come to the cross without being changed. Let me walk with You, Jesus-make me ready for the journey.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from CONTEMPLATING THE Crossby Tricia McCary Rhodes Copyright © 2007 by Tricia McCary Rhodes. Excerpted by permission.
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