SIB KL is having an event called 7 Stations of the Cross in conjuction with Easter. Each cell has a designated date to attend and Sheep United's turn was last night, 24th March at 8pm.
The seven stations were literally seven stations around SIB KL. From the 3rd floor all the way up to the 6th.
Each station represented Jesus' journey starting from the last supper up until the moment He hung on the cross.
Each station had a significant meaning, and was a time of reflection. A very interesting form of quiet time.
We came as a group but we went on our own pace. It was an amazing journey of reflection in solitude I have to say.
The stations were basically this:
Station 1 - Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
Station 2 - The Lord's Supper
Station 3 - Gethsemane (where Jesus prayed)
Station 4 - The Arrest
Station 5 - The Trial (Jesus brought before Pilate)
Station 6 - The Way of the Cross
Station 7 - The Crucifixion
I will not go into detail about each and every single station, but I will go through the stations that really spoke to me.
I have to agree with what Rachel Thong said. The stations really made us think about everything that was happening. And yes, the stations that I went through challenged my way of thinking, and brought me into a deeper understanding of the scriptures.
Station 1 was where it all started.
We are all familiar with the part where Jesus started washing His disciples' feet right?
The act is in fact not a custom, but an essential practise during his time because unlike us, they had only sandals and had to walk through dirt and mud everyday. So they basically had very dirty feet.
The act of washing another person's feet is usually done by the servant to the master. But here we see Jesus doing it to his disciples. The master doing to the servants. A total role reversal here. Since the first time I read this passage many years ago, I always thought that all it meant was just about humility, until tonight.
The one important thing I missed out was that Jesus washed Judas feet, even though He knew that Judas was later going to betray Him for 30 pieces of silver.
Right here is a true demonstration of loving your enemies. I always thought that Jesus did it as some sort of cover, until I realise what God has been trying to say all along. Love your enemies.
Yes it is hard to actually go down to the lowest form of a servant on bended knees and to wash that stinky feet of the person you really hate. We all feel that way. But Jesus demonstrated true love here by washing the feet of he who was to betray Him.
And that really struck me and touched me. The rest of us including myself were inspired to forgive those who have hurt and offended us.
At that station, we were told to pick a stone from what I believe to be a bucket of pond water (it had fish smell all over it) and write the name of a person who did us wrong on that stone. We then proceeded to kneel down in front of a basin of water and "wash" their feet.
Wash away our hurt. Our grudges. And to love them just as Jesus loved His enemies. And I remembered something, even on the cross, Jesus did not ask God to strike the ones of persecuted them with lightning, but to forgive them for "they do not know what they do".
Station 2 was just as eye opening. It was a reminder of His faithfulness to us.
He took the cup of the new covenent, even though He knew that His disciples would betray, abandon and deny Him.
Imagine saying vows to the person whom you know would have an affair with someone else in the future.
Or promising to be best friends with a person that you know will betray you in the future.
Would you?
Jesus knew that I would back slide and sin, yet He still died on the cross for me. Willingly. I am just left speechless here.
Station 4 was confusing at first. They brought us through a journey of Jesus' arrest, from the moment Judas identified Him to the part where Jesus told Peter to keep his sword. At one pit stop, there were swords, and we were instructed to pick it up and hold it. And at another, there were cups. Again, we were instructed to pick it up and hold it.
What did the sword and cup mean?
Towards the end of the station I finally understood that passage.
Jesus had a chance to take things into His hands and escape (the sword). Who on earth would want to be arrested and then persecuted for something they did not do?
Yet He chose not to. He chose to, in complete obedience, follow God's will (the cup - the covenent).
Another reminder of how I should always say, let Your will be done, not mine.
The last station that really spoke to me was a rather interesting one, station 5.
At the entrance, they asked us 3 random and simple questions. At the next section, the answers were not given, but the statistics of the answers chosen by other people were given. Some answers were right, and some were purposely wrong. And then they asked us, do you want to change your answer before moving on?
Then moving on, we were asked to put some red paint on our palm to symbolise Jesus' blood on our hands. We were playing the role of Pilate.
In a maze-like section, and on the walls were multiple quotes by the people, asking Pilate to release Barabbas instead of Jesus. Towards the end were seates clothed in colourful and royal colours fit for a powerful person like Pilate.
Then we were asked, are we going to follow majority and wash our hands clean? Or to pick up the cross?
A very interesting motion here. It reminded and challenged us to decide if we were to just follow the majority or to stand up for the truth.
Well, those are the stations that really impacted me.
At the last station, after communion, we were all given a "letter from God". It truly reminded me of how much God loves me and what He has done for me. As I was reading the letter, it really felt as though He was speaking to me in person.
I wish I could have brought my camera with me and capture every single moment, but I do not think that it is allowed.
7 Stations of the Cross was the sort of revival I needed that I have been praying for. And now I truly appreciate what I have been taking for granted. And I feel and mean it even more when I say, "I love You Lord".
I love You Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship You. O my soul rejoice.
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