14th Scriptural Station of the Cross

Jesus is Placed in the Tomb (Matthew 27: 57-60)

Prepare your setting. Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly. Set your timer.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Then: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Invite Jesus to visit with you. Tell Him of any concerns that are on your mind.

“Read” the image. Look from top to bottom, left and right. Look over it a second or third time. What strikes you? What is happening? What objects and symbols do you notice? Ponder the messages. I’ll share my thoughts [in brackets], but your thoughts are what matter.

[I actually feel relief of some sort. No more blood and bullies and whips and humilitation.

My eyes go immediately to Jesus face. This almost seems like a photograph to me, like a picture taken from a video. Jesus isn’t a figure on a holy card to me. He’s a real Person. And He’s dead–but no longer suffering.

My eyes go next to Nicodemus, depicted on the left, crying. Again, he looks so real to me! Not a painted figure at all, but a photograph of a real person who is so full of sorrow. My heart breaks for him because he knew he came so close, within seconds of leaving his old life behind (as a much respected priest in the Jewish region) to follow Jesus, And now he regrets that he didn’t. Would I have done the same?

Now my eyes go to Joseph of Arimathea, depicted on the right, in the back shadows. He is pointing the way to a new tomb that has never been used and he is offering it to the disciples for Jesus. I am so happy for Jesus! Finally, some respect!

The sheets around Jesus are so white. Of course they would have been after Jesus was cleaned and annointed with oil. But blood has no business in this picture–except for the wound of Jesus’ side. Jesus’ suffering is over. We don’t want to see the blood now. But the lance in His side poured out water and blood. The water symbolized Baptism and the blood, the real substance of wine in Holy Communion.

I almost missed the Easter lilies–symbols of the Resurrection, thus their name, near the middle of the cot and at the foot of it. And Joseph’s turban, and Mary’s gown. Symbol of light and fidelity. One of the women–she almost looks like an angel (without wings)–grasps the crown of thorns in her hand as if it doesn’t hurt. Maybe the thorns were broken off when they hit Jesus so much. I wonder what made her think to keep it since it was a sign of humiliation. Maybe she kept it as proof to those who wouldn’t believe what happened with tangible evidence since it was so inconceivable. Actually, there is a faint halo around her head. Maybe the figure is an angel, showing that the Passion, Death and soon-to-be Resurrection was heavenly as well as earthly event. I’m glad Jesus had angels with Him.

How wonderful that Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate to let him take Jesus’ body down before Passover began, thus not delaying the burial for 24 hours. And how generous of Joseph of Arimethea to give him a burial place. It feels wonderful to help people, especially to give them something they are very much in need of and have no way of obtaining. I know the focus should be on the person in need, and that helping them is the motivation (besides pleasing God), but I can’t deny the warmth I feel deep inside when I can relieve the suffering of a human, animal, bird or other creature, even in a tiny, tiny way. Like saying hello. Or giving a hug (if they want it).

I think the painting is excellent in capturing a real human moment. Everyone who loved Jesus is devastated, yet someone has to step up, think of what to do (get the body down before Passover), and take care of the burial. They are more than exhausted from the last 24 hours of madness and terror. But they acted.

I am so glad the soldiers can’t hurt Jesus anymore. I sure never want to hurt Him by sinning.

Meditate. Talk to God about the image, how you feel and why. Wrestle with Him about your questions until you have nothing else to say.

Pray. Lord Jesus, grant me Your compassion, that I may always provide for those in need.

Contemplate. Relax. Enjoy God’s presence. Let Him speak through your senses, thoughts, imagination until the timer rings.

Pray the Final Prayer for the End of the Stations of the Cross
Lord Jesus Christ,
your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites earth and heaven
and reconciles all people to you.
May we who have faithfully reflected on these mysteries
follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven
where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever.

Write something to keep in your heart until your next prayer session.

Thank Jesus for visiting with you. End with the Sign of the Cross. Amen.

This ends our Guided Meditation with Art: the Scriptural Way of the Cross for this Lent. I am so grateful that you chose to make it part of your Lenten prayers. If you’d like to share your insights about praying with religious art or your insights about the Scriptual Stations of the Cross, please use the comment section below. If you’d like to share with me alone, please use the Contact Form on the About page. Later this year, I’ll be announcing my next book concerning praying with religious art. You are warmly invited to keep visiting this blog. I will continue to publish “less heavy” –and shorter– meditations, but since I also write fiction and nonfiction about many topics, I’ll be adding some fun to the blog posts as well. I hope you’ll continue to stop by.