Thursday Apr 17, 2025
THE EIGHTH (8TH) STATION
But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
Luke 23:28 (NKJV)
Am very certain you will be wondering what the Eighth Station is all about and why this topic. You are welcome into the world of the Catholic church today. I want you to fasten your seat belts, while we zoom in and learn something significant you see them partake every year on Good Friday. As some of you may already know, I am a proud Catholic, but do not take pride in the fact that I belong to a great traditional church established by the early apostles. For what point is it if I pay lip services that ‘I am a Proud Catholic’ but practically not leaving my life to match the ways of the apostles as Christ Jesus taught them. I rather choose to be identified as a Christian first, before my denomination. Just like Paul, he was partly a Jew and Greek by birth, therefore he had that influence amongst this two groups of people (1 Corinthians 9:21). We read further in the Acts of the Apostles and his letters to the churches on how he defended the faith in order to win both Jews and gentiles. That is why our Lord said, “He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15 (ESV)). In the same way I believe my calling into Ministry is to appeal to all Christians of all denomination to rethink their calling as being Christians first and foremost, before their denomination. If we make this our number 1 priority, you and I have no excuse to say that I cannot find a bible believing church at my current location to worship with other believers. I have demonstrated this in my own country and also here in a foreign land. One of the most important things that will always make me miss my catholic church is the daily communion (the body and blood of Jesus Christ). I make sure I don’t miss it if I have an opportunity. It is like booster to me, giving me extra energy in this life. However, without receiving physical communion, I can receive it spiritually and have an opportunity to fellowship with believers from other denomination.
Now let us make progress. Catholics, during the season of LENT (which is a period of 40 days to Easter) go through a ritual known as the Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross every Friday and crown it on Good Friday. Just to give a little background on my definition. According to Wikipedia, the Way of the Cross grew out of imitations of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem (Via Dolorosa is Latin meaning ‘Sorrowful Way’ or ‘Way of Sorrows’). It is a traditional processional route symbolizing the path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary. The objective of the stations is to help the Christian faithful to make a spiritual pilgrimage through contemplation of the Passion of Christ. I hope we now have some clarity on why Catholics gather on Good Friday mornings and also in the afternoon. You can google to find out more about it, but most especially as we commemorate Good Friday tomorrow I think the angels will be happy to see you visit a Catholic church to experience this ritual. In this 21st Century with fast moving internet, you need to be curious and seek the right kind of knowledge rather than waiting for someone to feed you with ‘partly-cooked food’.
My brothers and sisters, the Stations of the Cross is not just a ritual but a devotion to know how our Savior suffered on his way to Calvary. If you do not appreciate the process flow of mixing your ingredients for baking a sweet cake according to the tips provided by your favorite Baker, you will never get your cake to taste like his or hers. In the same way if you do not appreciate the route our Savior (Jesus Christ) walked on to Calvary and jump straight to Easter Sunday, then you miss the whole message of Easter.
Brethren, you do not need to be a Catholic or an Orthodox believer to know the Way of the Cross. It is a yearly journey very Christian must reflect on. The fact is that, many of you travel to Jerusalem as Christian pilgrims. My question to you is, doesn’t the tourist guide, walk with you through the various stages all the way to Calvary? I want to believe they do, just that you do not follow the stages meditatively as a Catholic will do it. I hope you’ve gained some knowledge here.
Let’s now re-focus on our scripture for today and how it connects with my long introduction. There are fourteen (14) Stations in all, however we want to focus on the eighth (8) station which is titled “Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem”. The women came out weeping when the saw our Savior carrying his cross, with his bloody and cruelly scourged body created by the whip the soldiers used. These were not just young ladies; they were mother who understood what carrying a baby in the womb for nine months meant. Just for that son to be treated with a shameful-cruelty and finally hanged on the cross. They were moved with so much pity, I also sincerely want to believe some had been beneficiaries of Jesus’ kindness and graciousness. Brethren, our Savior however had a mission, and that mission needed to be accomplished. Therefore, Jesus was not distracted by their consolation for Him, but rather He goes out of his way to comfort them by saying “do not weep for me, rather weep for your children”.
Now let’s bring it home. How many times have you gone out of your way to show kindness, care, or gone the extra mile to bless or assist a neighbor or a total stranger who needed your help. Or can you remember when you stepped out of your comfort zone in order to help another person? I bet, it’s never happened before or it’s been a long time. Let us not even limit a neighbor to only those we know or are close to us. Jesus said in Matthew 5:46–48 (ESV), “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Jesus expects us to be perfect, just as He was and will not even give any excuse not to respond to anyone while on his daily rounds. Do you remember the woman in Matthew 15:25-28, who kept following Jesus with her request, such that the apostles even complained to the Lord to send her away? We read in verse 28 that Jesus stopped and honored her request. “Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Matthew 15:28).
Brethren, how many times have you refused or purposed in your heart not to help anyone in your own family again (1 Timothy 5:8), that friend or colleague or that stranger who walked into your office and you made a promise to assist but have since been ignoring their messages? You know deep down in your heart the Lord is leading you to help that person, but you are refusing to offer that help. Our bible commands us in Luke 6:30, 35-36 to help others as we will wish done to us, but also urges those seeking that help to ensure they do not become a burden while seeking that help (Galatians 6:5). One of the scriptures I have come to appreciate is Matthew 25:31-45. I call it the ‘mock questions’ for Judgement day. It is very simple, if God laid it on your heart to bless or help someone, just obey God and leave all the consequences to Him. Otherwise, verse 45 of Matthew 25, will work against you. Am certain you can reflect back on instances in your life when you were denied or refused help or an opportunity which would have made a big difference for you. The bible can never lie, it is the truth of God’s word. Proverbs 3:27-28 (ESV), affirms this, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.”
Therefore, my brethren, my message is very simple, Jesus wants us to go the extra mile to bless others even if it will cause us our lives. Am sure you heart just missed a beat when I said ‘even if it will cause you your life’. Yes, I meant it, my brother, my sister. As you reflect on this, I want to share with you three links in the description area of this podcast or video of just three (3) different people who were very instrumental in helping save some Jewish people during their extermination during the World War 2. There are many of such saints who have remained unnamed, to this day, but I believe they have received their reward in heaven for God said to Abraham “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you” (Genesis 12:3). After watch the videos you will understand why I said, even if it will cause you your life.
Shalom and peace to you.
Maurice Luther
Founder the Christian Migrant Network
Extra videos to watch:
Saving Lives in the Face of War: Nicholas Winton's
https://youtu.be/AepIaHhF9sE?si=Ekn20iVeCTbsPgQg
Corrie ten Boom and the Deadly Game of Hide and Seek
https://youtu.be/xYwNRjlZZ24?si=t0q8hiXUaigFaneZ
The Courageous Acts of German Soldier Franz Hasel during WWII
8 months ago
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