Jesus was accused of many crimes he didn’t commit.

You are invited to notice the first person you pass ... What are the initial assumptions you make about him/her? Stay with that for a bit, before you pray for them... and as you pray, move past your assumptions, to reflect on how God might see that person. Let this challenge your first assumptions.

Jesus was already badly wounded when he fell the first time. It must have hurt very much. Jesus got up and kept on going.

You are invited to reflect on a recent time you have failed –perhaps you failed to respond the way you would have liked to; perhaps you missed an opportunity for love. Take that moment and wrap it in God’s forgiveness –knowing there will be new opportunities. Take hope’s challenge to try again.

Simon didn’t come to help Jesus but to see what was going on. Then he was ordered by the soldiers to carry the cross, because Jesus was having such a hard time.

As you walk, take time to think about those people around you who you don’t really want to be there for. People you feel like you have to help. Offer these situations to God and ask God to create a willing heart within you.

A lot of people were against Jesus, but a lot of people followed him. They were his faithful friends.

As you walk, think about the faithful friends you have. Give thanks for them. Is there someone God is asking you to be a faithful friend to?

The soldiers drove nails through Jesus’ hands and feet. They lifted up the cross and put it in place. Jesus was in a lot of pain.

Today we walk amidst a world where there is a lot of pain. Take some time to lift that pain to Jesus, who knows it more than we ever will.

The cross was big and heavy. It was hard for Jesus to carry it. Jesus carried the heavy cross without complaining once.

As you walk, remember the last time you complained –whether out loud or in your head. Remember what happened and how it made you feel. Now look at it again and look for something you can be thankful for within that experience.

Jesus knew that his mother was really sad to see him suffering so much. But he must have been so pleased she came to him. Mary loved Jesus very much.

As you walk, remember your own mother. How has she been there for you in your own difficult journeys. Although not there for all of the journey, how does simply showing up make a difference. Take some time to be thankful for those who show up in the hard times because they love you.

Jesus fell again because he was so weak and tired from all his wounds. He still didn’t give up. He got back up and continued on.

What is it that makes you feel tired or weak at the moment? What might give you the energy to keep going even when you feel like this? What is the most difficult task for you in this current situation? Might you ask someone for help? Might God be able to help?

It’s incredible that Jesus fell again and the soldiers didn’t help him. They only yelled louder for him to get up and continue on. Jesus didn’t get mad at them; he forgave them.

Look at the ground you are walking on. Feel it hard under your feet and imagine the hurt of falling. When have you felt hurt and no one has seemed to notice? Has that left you holding a grudge? Take some time to sift through an experience of hurt and look for moments of forgiveness.

When Jesus died, the sky got dark and the ground started to shake. This made some people very scared.

We are in a time when there is a lot of fear and anxiety. The sky can seem very dark, and the ground beneath us that once felt secure seems to become very shaky. Recognise the anxiety that might be building within you and those around you. Reflect on ways that decrease this. You are invited to leave your flowers or cross here at Jesus’ cross - knowing that in Christ all things are made new. Talk to those around you later today about things that help you and ask others what they find useful.