Asbury Presents March 28 Stations of the Cross Event

March 27, 2024

The Christian Studies & Philosophy Department will host “Stations of the Cross,” a FLEX Credit event on Thursday, March 28, from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. in the Shaw Collaborative Learning Center (CLC) Luce Auditorium. Open to the public, the event includes 10 stations depicting Jesus Christ’s journey to the cross, including the Last Supper, the Jewish Trial & Peter’s Denial, Jesus’ Burial, and more.

“This is our second year showing Scripture, poems, and artwork for students to engage in an immersive experience,” said Professor of New Testament Dr. Suzanne Nicholson, who coordinated the event with Director of the Christian Life Project Jeannie Banter ’06. “With featured poems and reflections from Asbury students, this event is a tactile experience with olive oil and pita bread, myrrh and nard, a sponge with vinegar, aloe, and more.”

These stations provide participants with the opportunity to think deeply about Christ’s sacrifice heading into Resurrection Sunday. The components remain symbolic with tablecloth colors changing from white to green to tan to black.

“We are thankful for additional funds this year from the Spiritual Life Board to provide additional materials for this year’s event,” Nicholson said. “At the Garden of Gethsemane station, viewers can write words on prayer rocks and take their meditations with them.”

The last station includes a devotional for viewers to take, inviting participants to wait until Easter to receive the good news of the resurrection.

One of Nicholson’s favorite passages featured in the event incudes St. Augustine’s words from Sermon 191: “Man’s maker was made man, that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey; that the Truth might be accused of false witness, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might be wounded; that Life might die.”

The Asbury University Christian Studies & Philosophy Department offers seven majors and six minors for traditional undergraduate students, including Youth Ministry, Bible-Theology, Intercultural Studies, and Pastoral Ministries. The Online program offers a major in Leadership and Ministry: https://www.asbury.edu/academics/degrees/online/leadership-ministry/.