First Station — Jesus Is Condemned to Death

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world. The First Station. Jesus is condemned to death. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, sat on the judgment seat. Before him stood the Son of God, hands bound, blood already on his face from the soldiers' mockery. Pilate had the power to free Him. He even tried, in his half-hearted way. But the crowd shouted, Crucify Him. Pilate washed his hands. He handed Jesus over. Lord Jesus, in this moment You did not defend Yourself. You did not call down legions of angels. You stood silent, like a lamb before its shearers, as the prophet Isaiah foretold in chapter fifty-three. Tonight I think about the times I have been condemned unjustly. The times I have been misunderstood. The times the crowd was wrong about me. You know this experience from the inside. I think also about the times I have been Pilate. Standing in the position of judge. Knowing what was right but doing what was easier. Washing my hands of responsibility. Letting injustice pass because it was costly to fight. Forgive me, Lord. And give me the courage Pilate did not have. Tonight I think also of those who are unjustly condemned today. The innocent in prison. The persecuted Christian in countries where faith is illegal. The unborn condemned without trial. The elderly hurried toward death by a culture that has forgotten their dignity. For all of them, Lord, You stood condemned in their place. Your innocence covers their suffering. Your silence speaks for them. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy on us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.