Walkway 2012

2012. Holy Friday.

I attended the Walkway last Friday without any expectation aside from the fact that it is an interactive one. Interactive, how? I will describe through the photos below.

The whole concept of the Walkway itself expresses openness, whether you are a practicing devout Christian or not, observes the holy week or not, understand the week's activities or not. What made me appreciate it more is the way it conveys the real message of why Jesus died on the cross and who His motivation is. Every step I took yesterday from Station 1 to 14, made me rethink of my past (guilt *sob*), the people around me and if I am worthy of Jesus' sacrifice. There were moments when I felt ashamed but in the end, I understood -- or at least gained little understanding that things in the past happened so we could be healed. The world could be healed. See, how unselfish Jesus is? With no grain of doubt :)

Sharing with you some of the photos from yesterday. God bless the hands of the people from Church Simplified who really worked so hard on this :) A great sea of people came and participated. Kudos!

Station 1 -- Jesus was afraid because he knew what was coming. But He didn't turn his back on the whole mess. He prayed: "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet, I want your will not mine"

Stand in the mirror think about the honesty of Jesus' prayer. No facade, no pretense.

Station 2 -- The Betrayal. "When we decide to devote our lives to to anything less than God, we find ourselves on the losing end of the deal." For what are you selling yourself short for?

Station 3 -- The Trial. Oftentimes, we pass judgement about people too quickly, even before we get to know what we ought to hear to completely understand. The stone(s) below would serve as a reminder of the people we have reserved our negative opinions on.

Station 4 -- The Verdict. As Pontius Pilate had the chance to rewrite Jesus' story, everyone is given the chance to change someone's story for the better. 

Station 5 -- The Whip. Painful. No words can describe the pain. But He took it. He allowed the whipping so we could be healed.

Station 6 -- The Curse. God wants to rewrite our story. But He requires us to be bare and lay down the judgement we've cast on others. God can, and wants to rewrite our story.

This was where we deposited the stone of judgement we got from station 3. After depositing it, we got a black strip of cloth (left) -- a representation of our own sins and failures.

 

Station 7 -- The Cross.

These kids were cheering on their dad who was carrying the cross. Cute. I think they kinda know what this activity was about as their mom tried to explain it to them prior to this scene.

Station 8 -- The Two Simons. On Simon Peter: "And he went outside and wept bitterly", Luke 22:62. His betrayal was something that cannot be missed. On the other hand, as Jesus suffered from all the torture, a foreigner helped Him carry the cross. He could have been forgotten but because of the simple act, his name is known. He is from Cyrene. And his name is Simon.

Be a Simon of Cyrene to someone else and pray for the stranger's need.





Station 9 -- The Crucifixion. This has got to be my favorite. It's a reassurance, you see. Why did God consent to letting His son take all the pain? He could have stopped it and let someone take over. But no. He let everything happen. Because...

 

Station 10 -- The Mother. Mary was there for her son. Our mothers will always be there for us. I know my mama is.








Station 11 -- The Promise. With the two thieves that hand on the cross on either side of Jesus, one mocked Him while the other believed in Him. "When one prayed to him, Jesus loved him enough to save him. The other one that mocked, Jesus loved him enough to let him. He allowed him the choice. Jesus does the same for you."


Station 12 -- The Darkness. And then Jesus dies. "The darkness of Good Friday seems real. It seems permanent. Most of all, it seems to contradict the promise of Jesus when He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Seems to be the operative word."


Station 13 -- The Cloth. Easter brings hope! Be grateful for the angels that we have around us.

after going into the tunnel, this is what you have next. A whole row, or two, of thank you notes. Very touching.

Station 14 -- The Table. We are all Christ followers.

I really like what I went through the Walkway. Maybe I will volunteer for Walkway 2013. :)