Station 1: Jesus is condemned to die

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’ [Matthew 27.11; Mark 15.2; Luke 23.3; Jn 18.33-34]

The disciples have scattered and Jesus is made to face Pontius Pilate alone, accused of the politically trumped up charge of ‘sedition’ by his persecutors, who want to manipulate the Roman procurator into condemning Jesus to death. A deal is struck to release a notorious political activist named Jesus Barabbas in order to appease the crowd, in exchange for Jesus of Nazareth “King of the Jews” since Pilate views a Jewish “king” as a greater threat to the empire.

Prayer:

Lord God, I confess how quickly my cry of “Hosanna” can turn into “Crucify”. For proclaiming the truth, your Son is condemned to be crucified. How often do I turn my back on others; turn a blind eye to the sinful ways of the world; neglect the cries of the needy? Let me express my unfailing love for you now, because by your death you have redeemed the world.

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