The Journey to the Cross 2025, held from 7 to 11 April, was a profound and moving experience for many participants, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on the final moments of Jesus Christ. Through various prayer stations and evocative depictions, individuals were able to immerse themselves in the emotional and spiritual journey that Jesus undertook. These reflections capture the heartfelt responses and personal insights of those who walked this path, highlighting the deep impact and renewed faith that emerged from this sacred experience.
Daniel K:
Journey to the Cross 2025 was an experience that left me both humbled and hopeful as I walked through the four different Stations depicting the final moments of Jesus until His final breath on the cross. Though we could read the Scripture verses that depict those moments in a few minutes, the actual events lasted many hours. As I pondered deeply over these moments, I realised that Jesus truly suffered a great deal on His journey to the Cross before His crucifixion.
Two Prayer Stations stood out for me.
Station 1 depicts Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus spent His final days in the Garden praying early on Maundy Thursday. Despite being tired from teaching and healing He returned to Gethsemane after the Last Supper. There He experienced extreme physical strain, shedding drops of blood and sweat while praying. Many pilgrims like me spent extended time at this station to pray, meditate and be with Jesus, remembering the disciples who fell asleep then.
At Station 3, we witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus. After being arrested, Jesus was led between Pilate and Herod, enduring severe flogging and mockery. Exhausted, hungry and in pain, He carried the cross and was crucified, hanging for six hours under the sun before finally giving up His spirit. This nailing scene was enacted at Wesley Hall with cinematography effects that combined audio and visual elements. The depictions made it unbearable to fathom the immense pain Jesus endured. The mood was sombre, the air stood still and my heart ached with silent sorrow.
As I thought deeply about the agony and suffering Jesus endured to save each one of us, I couldn’t help but thank Him for enduring such torment and torture. Many claim the love of Christ was manifested on the Cross but I now believe that the love of Jesus was actually demonstrated even before He approached the Cross. It began on His journey to the Cross.
Chris Ong:
I’ve been blessed by this pocket of quiet time at Journey to the Cross (JTC) to spend with the Lord. Feeling hurried and busy lately, I needed this moment to be still before Him. Thank you, JTC team, for preparing and setting up the props and guidebooks.
Joyce Lo:
Five of my office Care Group members brought their family and their own church Small Groups to JTC on Thursday and Friday night. They are members from Faith Community Baptist Church, Living Sanctuary Church, Covenant Community Methodist Church and Aldersgate Methodist Church. One other friend whom I brought during lunchtime on Friday is from Church of Our Saviour; he also brought his wife that same evening.
Two friends shared these:
“Very touched by the whole settings, which was so real an experience that they were moved to tears. Even the youngest child of two years old was touched, especially at Station 3.”
“Helped them to reflect and renew their faith as they were reminded of the whole journey that Jesus had gone through.”
This year they went at night and found it even more realistic because at night-time it’s all dark, making the settings feel so real.
Many of my Care Group members went for the JTC a second time and some even twice in a day. They appreciate the journey experience and time for reflection at Station 4, notwithstanding they all love the Wesley sanctuary.
The stations that touched them most were 1 and 3, but this year at Station 2, the sighting of (mannequin) Peter behind the pillar hiding made the whole denial thing so real, which touched their hearts. This time they cried at Station 2.
Overall, it’s an even better journey experience than last year. They sent a big thank you to Wesley Methodist Church and are looking forward to next time.
CC (Steward at Station 1: Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane):
People streamed in quietly, some with friends, some with family, and some alone. I sensed their quiet anticipation as they embarked on this journey. Peeping into the garden, I saw some lingered, some unhurried, others unsure, and some just walked through. I’m grateful to participate in a very small way, giving out the crosses and just opening the door for them to enter into such an intimate time with the Lord. He welcomes us as we are. At the end of the shift, I felt a spiritual high, which I can’t explain except perhaps the Lord is delighted with His people seeking and sitting with Him.
The questions I asked myself:
Do I bring Him delight when I seek and sit with Him?
In the ordinariness of life, how can I warmly welcome more people to seek and sit with the Lord?
What is preventing me from stretching out a warm welcome to seekers and sitters?
LP (Steward at Station 2: Jesus is Betrayed and Disowned):
Reflecting on the betrayals of Judas and Peter, I’m struck by the contrasting outcomes. Judas, overwhelmed by guilt and despair, chose a path of destruction, while Peter, experiencing remorse and grief, found forgiveness and restoration. I identify with both Judas and Peter, betraying Jesus by prioritising worldly pursuits over time with God and compromising my actions to fall short of His example. I seek God’s forgiveness and empowerment to live a life that honours Him.
ST (Steward at Station 3: Jesus is Crucified):
Four hours seemed a long time, but to my own surprise, the time passed by without much thought of the minutes and seconds. Every time the video segment showed the captions:
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
My heart sank and I imagined how much pain Jesus had to bear for me, and yet He asked forgiveness on my behalf. Truly, I search my own heart for things that I still cannot forgive, but I must forgive just as Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. He has forgiven me! Jesus also committed Himself to the Heavenly Father. So I too can commit myself to God, especially at troubling moments of thinking God has forsaken me. I must learn to commit my life to God at all times.
Photos by CJ Goh, Desmond Yiong and Julian Wee
View and download more Journey to the Cross photos here.
Read also: Journey to the Cross 2025: A Reflective Spiritual Experience; Victory Declared: Easter Sunday at Wesley Methodist Church
