The Stations of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrows, follows the path that Jesus took through the streets of Jerusalem from Pilate’s condemnation of him all the way to Golgatha and beyond. Christians have followed the Way of the Cross since the Middle Ages as pilgrims, disciples, who want to walk with Jesus along this final path.
STATION I: Jesus is Condemned to Death
Pilate, representing the vast Roman government, is afraid-afraid of the crowds, afraid there will be a riot, afraid of Roman eyes who might see what’s going on. Jesus, standing before Pilate-beaten, bleeding, wearing a crown a thorns, stands patiently before Pilate-sentenced to death-and yet, it is Pilate who is afraid.
How often does hate, with it’s loud and terrible voice, drown out the quiet, patient voice of love? How often do quick judgments and vicious lies overshadow truth? Do we stand with the crowd, condemning the innocent Lamb of God whose blood washes away our sin? Or do we stand with Pilate, afraid of what others will think if we stand up for Jesus? Or do we stand with our Lord, alongside the poor, the sick, the disenfranchised, standing with those who deserve and seek justice as people created in God’s image? Where are we in all this?