Introduction to Lenten Series 2026

In 2015, I published a book titled Finding Grace in Lent. It consisted of daily devotions for the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter based on the Stations of the Cross. Today, I will begin republishing edited versions of those devotions as a daily series running through Easter.

The story of the journey to Easter is a gruesome tale. We like to think of Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, new clothes, and daffodils when we think of Easter. We cannot fully experience the joy and rebirth of the resurrection, however, without first traveling the difficult road that carries us there. It is easy to think, “Oh, that is a sad story, and I am sorry Jesus had to go through that experience, but it was so long ago when people were such heathens. Praise God those days are over!” Unfortunately, if we want to know the resurrection in all its power and glory, we must first walk through the crucifixion in all its pain and humiliation.

            Many of us wonder why Jesus had to die in such a brutal manner, and we wonder how his suffering and our salvation are related. Some theologians believe that sin cannot abide in the presence of God, sin being that which separates us from God. The price of sin, they say, is death; which in the days of Jesus was paid by having an animal killed on behalf of the sinner. Jesus, as the Lamb of God, was punished for the sins of all of us, so the punishment was severe, indeed. Because of this sacrifice, however, God sees and judges us through Jesus – our sin is filtered out through the lens of Jesus. Without an atoning sacrifice, our sin prevents us from being in the presence of God. Or so that theory goes.

            Not everyone is comfortable with the traditional explanations for the necessity of the suffering of Jesus. This series of essaysis especially written for those who are uncertain because I will not try to justify the crucifixion. Rather, this book attempts to recreate the road to the cross and invites the reader to journey along it with Jesus. The premise is that the journey provides its own justification for its end.

Embarking on a journey toward one’s death is not easy, especially when one knows beforehand that the path will be excruciatingly painful. Ultimately, Lent is a journey to the resurrection. Jesus crosses the threshold from life to death to life and invites us to join him on this extraordinary voyage.

The history of the Stations of the Cross begins with early attempts to recreate the holy places of Jesus’ life in lands outside of Jerusalem. As Christianity spread throughout the world, it became increasingly difficult for many of the faithful to experience the important shrines in the Holy Land. The purpose of the Stations is to allow followers of Jesus to make a virtual, spiritual pilgrimage through the primary scenes of Christ’s suffering and death. The traditional format for the Stations was developed in the 17^th century. Several of the 14 traditional Stations, however, are not found in Scripture but in Catholic tradition. In an effort to better align the Stations with Scripture, Pope John Paul II introduced a revised set of Stations in 1991, all of which are recorded in Scripture. Pope Benedict XVI formalized this revised set of the Stations in 2007, although the traditional Stations are still found in many Catholic churches. This series willfollow the more recent, scriptural version of the Stations.

            The Stations of the Cross hold a particular fascination and attraction for me, a non-Catholic. They provide the foundation for an intense experience of Lent. There may seem little that hints of grace during Lent. The resurrection we celebrate at Easter, however, is such a powerful and joyful conclusion that the road leading up to it is ultimately worthwhile, not unlike the labor pains leading up to the birth of a child. It is my prayer for you to find new insights on this deliberate journey to the cross.

This is the 1^st in a daily series titled The Stations of the Cross that will run through Easter 2026, at which time I will return to my weekly Life Notes. Life Notes are my explorations into mysteries that interest me. They are invitations for readers to explore more deeply into life’s mysteries. Engage with me or explore contemplative spiritual direction at ghildenbrand@outlook.com.