Carrying the weight of the cross

The idea of a "sign" was prevalent Friday as I attended the annual Franklin Christian Ministerium Cross Walk. I saw signs everywhere. I made many photographs with signs in them. Some poignant to what was in front of me, some whimsical observations, but signs are what we look for when we are dealing with faith, though maybe not as literal as the signs I documented on this day.

Some were more obvious than others.

Some seemed tongue-in-cheek play on words.

Some seemed contrary to the message direction of the day. The 125-plus folks attending would possibly agree with the one way, but not going in the opposite way they were going.

But for Christians around the globe, Good Friday is perhaps the most significant day of the year. It was the day, according to Scripture, that an innocent man died in order to save all of humanity.

​Weighty stuff.

The Franklin Ministerium observes this day with the telling of Jesus Christ's last moments in the mortal coil. They enacted the 14 Stations of the Cross from Jesus being condemned to crucifixion to his ascension into heaven.

If one truly listens to the words spoken at each "station," it is a powerful story of love, hope and sacrifice.

Parents and grandparents attended to teach their kids and grandkids what they believe and what has given them comfort.

Good Friday for many is a chance to reflect on the religious beliefs they hold dear to their hearts.

Many of those in attendance have walked the roughly one-mile journey through town for many years.

"Do not let fear keep us from showing love."
Upon Christ's dying, he turned to the others being crucified and offered them salvation.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica the series of stations are: (1) Jesus is condemned to death, (2) he is made to bear his cross, (3) he falls the first time, (4) he meets his mother, (5) Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross, (6) Veronica wipes Jesus’ face, (7) he falls the second time, (8) the women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus, (9) he falls the third time, (10) he is stripped of his garments, (11) he is nailed to the cross, (12) he dies on the cross, (13) he is taken down from the cross, and (14) he is placed in the sepulcher.

Among car horns and others going about their business, Friday's crowd took a few moments to reflect on what Jesus tried to teach and continues to teach through his words given to us by his apostles and countless theologians and philosophers since.

Jesus seemed to embrace those who didn't agree with him and chose patient lessons to get his ideas out to others.