1 - Jesus is condemned
Lord, you are my hope, my life and my salvation. Be known to me in this place.
Scripture:
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests, with the elders and scribes and the whole council, held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. Mark 15:1
Meditation:
Pontius Pilate was sent by the emperor to rule over the Jews in Palestine. Stuck in this far-flung post away from the excitement of Rome, he cares nothing for the people but wants to keep the peace as Rome expects. And here they bring him one of their own, this rabble-rouser named Jesus, after he has been stripped and flogged. Quivering beneath the insulting purple robe they have draped on him, Jesus can hardly stand. Pilate had hoped to arouse the pity of the people, but the mob, incited by the chief priests and their henchmen, are howling, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" So Pilate washes his hands of his responsibilities and nods to his lieutenant. It is the sentence of death.
Prayer:
O Lord, I cannot judge Pilate. How often I have washed my hands of my own responsibilities -- telling myself and others that it is someone else's job to feed the hungry and befriend the stranger. Yet, you told us that what we do to the least of these, we do to you. Help me to remember, dear Lord, that when I turn my back on these your people, I, like Pilate, turn my back on you. Forgive me. I humbly ask it in the name of Christ, who redeems me, Amen.
