The First Station
Jesus is condemned to death
John 19:1 to 16 - Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him whipped. The soldiers made a crown out of thorny branches and put it on His head; then they put a purple robe on Him and came to Him and said. “Long live the King of the Jews”. And they went up and slapped Him. Pilate went back out once more and said to the crowd. “Look, I will bring Him out here to you to let you see that I cannot find any reason to condemn Him”. So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Look! Here is the man”. When the chief priests and the Temple guards saw Him, they shouted. “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them. “You take Him, then, and crucify Him. I find no reason to condemn Him”. The crowd answered back. “We have a law that says He ought to die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid. He went back into the palace and asked Jesus, “Where do You come from?” But Jesus did not answer. Pilate said to him. “You will not speak to me? Remember, I have the authority to set you free and also to have you crucified”. Jesus answered. “You have authority over me only because it was given to you by God. So the man who handed me over to you is guilty of a worse sin.” When Pilate heard this, he tried to find a way to set Jesus free. But the crowd shouted back, “If you set him free, that means that you are not the Emperor’s friend! Anyone who claims to be a king is a rebel against the Emperor!”
Meditation:
Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate in a hostile place. He is alone. By speaking of justice, mercy, kindness and peace he has only done good things in life. He is sentenced to die. The procession is ready for the final walk. The gates are opened. The soldiers lead the way their armour clinking loudly. Jesus - undefended – follows
Prayer:
I love you my beloved Jesus. I love you more than myself. I am sorry if I ever offend you. Never let me separate myself from you again. Sometimes people don’t seem to understand me. Sometimes they are unfair. Sometimes I am also unfair, but you accept me even when I make mistakes. Help me to accept others when they make mistakes. Help me to forgive as Jesus did. Let me love you always. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.