Station #8 - Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Luke 23v26-32 

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then 

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” 
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed 

Jesus, on his way to execution, sees the women weeping for him and he has compassion on them. He tells them not to weep for him but for themselves - he knew that 40 years later Jerusalem would fall to the Romans. We do not know what troubles lie ahead for us, but we can trust that God will be with us, with unending love and compassion for us.

Lord sometimes the troubles of this world seem so immense. We pray for those affected by war and grief. We look to you and pray, Lord, help us take courage as we trust in you. Amen