First Station
Jesus is condemned to death
(Fingers pointed in accusation)
Jesus is condemned to death
(Fingers pointed in accusation)
Reading
Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting: “Crucify him, crucify him!” A third time he said to them: “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him”. But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished (Luke 23:21-25).
Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting: “Crucify him, crucify him!” A third time he said to them: “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him”. But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished (Luke 23:21-25).
Reflection
Can we close our eyes and picture what we just saw. There were two kings. One is Jesus and the other is Pilate. It was not an arranged meeting with Royal Dignitaries. It is passing judgment, one over the other. What has Jesus done? He was a great teacher, without sin, cured the sick, fed the people, raised the dead etc. He loved the people as His father did. When Pilate had Jesus flogged, Jesus was unrecognizable, his eyes, mouth, and beard covered with blood, his body but one wound, and his back bowed down as that of an aged man, while every limb trembled as he walked. What a Royal treatment? Pilate thought he had power over him.
My sweet Jesus, what went through your mind, when Pilate spoke to you like that? Did you ever think, why this foolish man talks to me like this? I will teach him a lesson by using my mighty power? Didn’t you feel humiliated my Jesus? Didn’t you think of calling Father to send some punishment for him?
Jesus Speaks
My Son, my daughter instead of responding from mere thoughts I consulted my Farther through my spirit. Remember I was strengthened by my Father at Gethsemane when I accepted this chalice from his hands so He was guiding me from above. It was revealed to me “Punishment is not my way son but Love; Love is my way”. Then I chose to accept the condemnation and loved Pilate. I loved Pilate for his every action and he could see it from my eyes. Yes Change started. His wife Claudia understood my love too. Pilate ENCOUNTERED my Father through me. Remember he tried to release me. Yes he had a hardened heart; he did not know what truth was but with the compassion and love, change started.
Finally Pilate said to Chief Priests and bystanders the following words: ‘Behold, I bring him forth to you that you may know that I find no case against him.
But they did not accept it. These external forces wanted him to crucify me. There were Pharisees, Sadducees and others.
Don’t be quick to point your finger at Pilate. Look at the big picture. There were Pharisees, Sadducees and others.
Were you also there?
Personnel Reflection
When we have trials we panic. We don’t have patience. We don’t get guidance from above as Jesus did. When we are rejected we react and fight and sometimes ask Jesus to punish them too. Naturally God will be the very first one to be out from the window when we are disturbed. Sometimes we realize what we have to do, but other forces would not allow us to do the correct thing. But Jesus tells us God should be the first to be consulted when we are troubled, otherwise we will be running everywhere like headless chickens.
Just think about the times that we had obstacles to do the correct thing. Had we been obstacles to our spouses, children, parishioners, etc. when they want to do God’s will?
Thank you, God for teaching this. Guide us in this path. Teach us how to give inner responses when we are troubled.
Can we close our eyes and picture what we just saw. There were two kings. One is Jesus and the other is Pilate. It was not an arranged meeting with Royal Dignitaries. It is passing judgment, one over the other. What has Jesus done? He was a great teacher, without sin, cured the sick, fed the people, raised the dead etc. He loved the people as His father did. When Pilate had Jesus flogged, Jesus was unrecognizable, his eyes, mouth, and beard covered with blood, his body but one wound, and his back bowed down as that of an aged man, while every limb trembled as he walked. What a Royal treatment? Pilate thought he had power over him.
My sweet Jesus, what went through your mind, when Pilate spoke to you like that? Did you ever think, why this foolish man talks to me like this? I will teach him a lesson by using my mighty power? Didn’t you feel humiliated my Jesus? Didn’t you think of calling Father to send some punishment for him?
Jesus Speaks
My Son, my daughter instead of responding from mere thoughts I consulted my Farther through my spirit. Remember I was strengthened by my Father at Gethsemane when I accepted this chalice from his hands so He was guiding me from above. It was revealed to me “Punishment is not my way son but Love; Love is my way”. Then I chose to accept the condemnation and loved Pilate. I loved Pilate for his every action and he could see it from my eyes. Yes Change started. His wife Claudia understood my love too. Pilate ENCOUNTERED my Father through me. Remember he tried to release me. Yes he had a hardened heart; he did not know what truth was but with the compassion and love, change started.
Finally Pilate said to Chief Priests and bystanders the following words: ‘Behold, I bring him forth to you that you may know that I find no case against him.
But they did not accept it. These external forces wanted him to crucify me. There were Pharisees, Sadducees and others.
Don’t be quick to point your finger at Pilate. Look at the big picture. There were Pharisees, Sadducees and others.
Were you also there?
Personnel Reflection
When we have trials we panic. We don’t have patience. We don’t get guidance from above as Jesus did. When we are rejected we react and fight and sometimes ask Jesus to punish them too. Naturally God will be the very first one to be out from the window when we are disturbed. Sometimes we realize what we have to do, but other forces would not allow us to do the correct thing. But Jesus tells us God should be the first to be consulted when we are troubled, otherwise we will be running everywhere like headless chickens.
Just think about the times that we had obstacles to do the correct thing. Had we been obstacles to our spouses, children, parishioners, etc. when they want to do God’s will?
Thank you, God for teaching this. Guide us in this path. Teach us how to give inner responses when we are troubled.