Welcome to the first of our online Stations of the Cross. Each day this week we will be revealing on this blog an image with accompanying scripture, reflection and prayer to help us meditate on Christ’s journey to the cross and glorious resurrection. Even though we are separated by walls, may we take encouragement from journeying through this Holy Week together. May you know the Lord’s presence with you as you contemplate each day’s offering.
Today’s image is by Kim Neville
Prayer & reflection by Jo Hossain
Jesus Sentenced to Be Crucified (John 19:1-16 NIV)
19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” 6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” 7 The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9 and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” 13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14 It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. 16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.
Reflection
Can you identify with any of the positions people are in in this story? Maybe you’re feeling powerless in the current Coronavirus pandemic. Maybe you’re feeling attacked or lonely in a situation in which you have no control. Maybe you’re passionate about justice. Why not take 5 minutes today and reflect on what this scene must have been like for Jesus. Reflect on his response about power. Ask God’s Holy Spirit to empower you to practice love, kindness and self control in the midst of any storm.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that when you were wrongly accused, you responded with justice and forgiveness, and you courageously continued in the Father’s call on your life, with courage, despite immense opposition. Thank you for going on this difficult journey to die for me. Amen.
