Artwork by Darlene Thulson. Conté Crayons on 8" x 10" paper
Written reflection by Nicki Nickerson
Welcome to the website for Centennial Covenant Church’s podcast Centered. This podcast was created by Karl Helvig, David Dillon, and Kaley Rodda, with the help of many other wonderful people. The content below is a guide for the prayer practice known as The Stations of the Cross, and this website was designed particularly with our friends in the D/HH community in mind. You can use it on its own without the audio podcast, or you can use the website while listening to the podcast to create a more immersive experience. The content here is exactly the same as that on the audio podcast. In other words, this website and the podcast can function either independently or together.
Before beginning to engage with Scripture, take a few deep breaths.
Inhale deeply.
Exhale slowly.
Read this scripture, from John 19:38-41:
Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.
As we have done in weeks past, read also these words by Tony Jones in his book, The Sacred Way:
At the very moment that Jesus was closest to his eternal glory, he seemed to be farthest from it. His body was placed in a stone-cold tomb, sealed with a massive rock, guarded by Roman soldiers. Death is so very final.
With that, take a moment to take in the artwork. Sit with the image.
In addition to what you see, what other senses can you engage as you contemplate this scene, in this stone, cold tomb?
Is there some sort of response that this is drawing from you? Some way you want to respond to what you’re experiencing, what you’re feeling, what you’re thinking about as you gaze at this image?
Written reflection by Nicki Nickerson
Jesus Laid in the Tomb
John 19:38-41
Stillness and sadness fill the air as the King is laid to rest.
His body removed from the cross, beaten and bloody for our sake.
With careful attention his body washed with fine perfume, wrapped in cloth.
In the distance stand the women in his life, watching, waiting, grieving.
The stone rolled to seal the tomb where our King lay.
Three days the silence fills the air. Watching. Waiting.
Our King laid to rest.
As always, we are very grateful to be with you this episode, and we’ll see you again next time. Grace and Peace.