Way of the Cross: Station 1-Jesus is Condemned

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Jesus is Condemned
Scene from “The Passion of the Christ”

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Basin of water

Scripture

The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

Mark 15:3-5

"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"

“Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"

Matthew 27:22-24

Reflections

The only innocent one in this scene is Jesus. The truth is, we are all guilty. No one is innocent. Christ is accused and condemned unjustly for things he wasn’t guilty of.

Pilate tried to wash away his guilt, tried to overlook his part in the death of Jesus. We all have sins in our lives that we try to overlook.

The Basin

Wash your hands with the water from the basin. Think about the sins in your life that you have tried to wash away on your own.

What would Jesus have you do with those sins?

As you wash your hands, ask Jesus to wash your heart with his love.

Prayer

Jesus, you were unjustly condemned and scorned. Pilate handed you over to be crucified, when the whole time you were innocent. Sometimes I try to escape my own sins. Sometimes I try to not take ownership for things that I should own. Forgive me. Wash me with your purity.