First Station: Jesus Is Condemned to Death
MARK 15:15
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Jesus had been arrested the previous evening in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. He could not be sentenced to capital punishment under Jewish law. The community leaders brought him to Pontius Pilate, a Roman representative, for judgment. The crowds are unruly and controlled by mob thought, shouting “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate does not protect Jesus, but sentences him to Crucifixion.
PSALM 31
I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around;
They put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.
My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
Pray for—
- • all those in authority, that they may see the common good and work for peace, equity, and justice.
- • for those who judge and uphold the law, that they may act with true mercy.
- • those in every occasion who face the choice of using human power to hurt and kill.
- • those condemned in prison, to death, to long sentences.
- • those who are imprisoned justly and for those wrongfully imprisoned.
- • yourself, for grace when you judge others, that you might know the humility of Christ.