Read
'Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:36-41

Ponder
Why do you think Jesus began to be sorrowful and troubled? Why do you think Jesus said "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak", and what can we do about it?

Prayer
Lord,
There are so many temptations we face each day. We want to keep watch and pray as you pray. Please give us the strength and the wisdom to recognize temptations and to seek you in all that we do. Equip us with the daily strength needed to follow your will in all things. Lead us to call upon your name when it is hard to stand firm and stay alert.

Read
'Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. '
Mark 14:43-46

Ponder
What would have been your reaction if you were one of the Twelve in this moment? What ways have you seen the devil use to discredit, destroy, and betray Jesus?

Pray
Lord,
There are those the devil is using to distract from you, to condemn our faith, and to betray you. Please give us the courage needed to stand against these attacks, remaining faithful and bold in sharing the gift of salvation through you. Let our lives be a reflection of your glory and love so that no one can deny your good work and truth.

Read
'The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ” Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” '
Matthew 26:59-68

Ponder
Have you ever been ganged up on and falsely accused? What was it like? What can we take away from Jesus’ interaction with the religious leaders and apply to our own relationships?

Pray
Lord,
Thank you for standing alone in front of the religious leaders for us and speaking the truth that you are the Messiah. Help us, when we are falsely accused and standing alone remember that we aren’t alone as you are standing with us.

Read
'Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.' Matthew 26:69-75

Ponder
Have you ever lied about something that you know is true? Peter was a leader of the disciples and had just defended Jesus in the garden. Why do you think he lied, saying he didn’t know Jesus?

Pray
Lord,
Thank you for loving us even when we struggle telling others that we know you. Give us courage to speak honestly about you even when speaking the truth is difficult.

Read
'Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed… 'But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. “Crucify him!” they shouted. “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
Mark 15:1-5,11-15

Ponder
Have you ever been a part of a protest where certain people were controlling the crowd? What was that like? Why were the religious leaders committed to having Jesus killed? Why did Pilate give in to the crowd?

Pray
Lord,
Give us discernment to know the truth about what is being said around us and what isn’t being said. Help us not be conformed to the world but transformed by your love and grace.

Read
'Then Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. '
John 19:1-3

Ponder
What’s it like to be ridiculed and shamed? What did the soldiers do to Jesus and why?

Pray
Lord,
Thank you for suffering for us at the hands of soldiers who didn’t know you or care about you. In our lives there will be times when we will suffer because “people are just doing their job.” Give us grace to not retaliate but to know you are suffering with us.

Read
'As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). '
John 19:6,15-17

Ponder
In your relationships have you ever seen someone lie to get what they want? What was your reaction? Why were the religious leaders so focused on killing Jesus that they were willing to lie about Caesar being their king? What did the cross Jesus carried represent? Do we carry our own cross?

Pray
Lord,
Every day we come face to face with people that will do anything to get what they want. Help us respond to them daily with kindness and love knowing that this is part of carrying our own cross just like Jesus.

Read
'When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ' Luke 23:33-34

Ponder
Close your eyes and picture yourself on the hill as the cross was laid flat and Jesus is roughly thrown down on top of it. Listen for the sound of the nails being driven through Jesus’ hands and feet. Then Jesus shouts words of forgiveness for the soldiers throwing dice for his clothes. In a few words describe the contrast between Jesus and the soldiers.

Pray
Jesus,
Only you can make sense of the scene in front of us, Jesus. We thank you that even in your last moments you are challenging, teaching and forgiving. Often we are focused on the insensitivity of these men and yet we live in a culture that buys and sells your Gospel every day. We accept your challenge to forgive especially to those who don’t know what they are doing. Thank you for forgiving us and reminding us that at one time we were like these soldiers. Amen

Read
'It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. ' Luke 23:44-46

Ponder
Describe to yourself what it must have felt like when the darkness enveloped the land, the curtain was torn, and Jesus makes his last statement. How do you think you would have reacted? Why did Jesus have to actually die? What does it mean for you and your life that Jesus died?

Pray
Lord,
Thank you for sending your son to live a perfect life and die on the cross. Please help us to daily remember the reason for your sacrifice and help us to trust in you. Remind us of the urgency for which we should pursue life with you and share your truth with others so we may be ready when our time on earth ends.

Read
'A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. '
Mark 15:21

Ponder
What is it like when you are forced to do something you don’t want to do, for someone you don’t know? What might have been going through Simon's mind and Jesus’ mind?

Pray
Lord,
Help us have a heart like Simon’s and be willing to give help to those we do know or don’t know. Jesus, give us your heart so we will be willing to receive help even when it’s bearing another person’s burden.

Read
'One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

Ponder
 What do we deserve? What does it mean to be remembered by Jesus? How do we get to be remembered by Jesus? What does Jesus’ response to the criminal mean and what can the response mean for us?

Pray
Lord,
We humbly thank you for the grace and mercy of your salvation. We are nothing without you. We deserve nothing you have given us or have made. Please forgive us. Use us for your kingdom. Please give us perseverance so that we may never stop seeking you.

Read
'As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Matthew 27:57-60

Ponder
 Why do you think Joseph wanted to care for the body of Jesus? What, if anything, do you think it may have cost Joseph to do this? What can we learn from Joseph that we can apply to our lives?

Pray
Lord,
Open our hearts to speak, think, and act as your Holy Spirit directs us. Please give us the compassion and boldness we need to care and provide for others in your name. Speak directly to us as we seek you through the story of Jesus’ death and burial. Help us to hear and to see.

Read
'A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”'
Luke 23:27-31

Ponder
More than likely Jesus’ mother and the women that followed Christ were a part of this group. What do you think Jesus’ mother was experiencing as she walked with her son to the cross? What does Jesus’ prophecy mean and what can we apply to our lives in 2025?

Pray
Lord Jesus,
We thank you for your warnings about the future in the last few weeks of your life and especially here where you are on your way to the cross and you pause your journey to warn the women that the future will be even more difficult with the adversary fighting you Jesus and your Church  every step of the way. Help us stand firm and continue to speak and live your Gospel at all times and to all people. Amen

Read
'Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.' John 19:25-27

Ponder
 Why do you think Jesus asked this of his disciple? What do you think it meant to his mother and the disciple for Jesus to do this? How do you think it changed their lives? Who has Jesus asked you to serve on his behalf?

Pray
Lord,
Thank you for providing for us just as you provided for your earthly mother. We pray for awareness of those you are calling us to serve. Help us to see and meet the needs of others.