Station 13: Jesus is taken down from the Cross

Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him….But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out…..After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. [John 19.33-34, 38] [Luke 19.50-52]

There is no scriptural reference to the body of Jesus being placed in his mother’s arms, although we know from the Gospels that she and other women were nearby. It would have been the task of the women at that time to arrange for the burial of a body. Imagine you are at this place, helping to take down the lifeless and mutilated body of Jesus, tenderly placing it in Mary’s arms and comforting her. Recall how the touch of Jesus healed so many and contemplate this tender moment.

Prayer:

Lord, I pray for all who are persecuted for their faith, all who have suffered for others and for truth, and those whose spirits are broken. Comfort the broken-hearted especially mothers who have lost a child, and empower me to be a comfort to others.

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