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Lent is a 6-week period of preparation as we look forward to Easter and Resurrection Sunday.  As is true in many areas of life, preparation for something makes it much more meaningful and significant!

We will Journey Towards the Cross with 14 Reflection Points during the six weeks of Lent; an opportunity for deep reflection and prayer to prepare our hearts to celebrate the greatest miracle of transformation we can ever know. 

 

Reflection point # 5-Jesus Judged by Pilate

Bible Reading: Luke 23:13-24 “Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.”

But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand.”

Reflection: Pilot was a true politician. It appears he had a conviction, that Jesus was innocent, and it seems he wanted to do the right thing. But in the end, he gave in to the pressure from the crowd and handed Jesus over to be crucified. In another passage it says he washed his hands, as a symbol to say I am not responsible for this man’s death.

How often do we remove ourselves in an attempt to not carry the burden or blame of our actions? How easy is it to refuse to take responsibility, and instead excuse ourselves or blame others? What might God be asking you to stand up for?

Pray: O Lord Jesus, I confess that I often take the easy way out and excuse my sin or blame others for it rather than confessing it. I ask you to reveal the areas where I am presently doing this. I confess __________ as sin; it is not your way of love and flourishing. Please forgive me. Thank you for this gift of forgiveness that came through the cross. Help me take action with what you have revealed.

 

Adapted from Walking the Way of the Cross, Serenity in Suffering https://serenityinsuffering.com/praying-the-biblical-stations-of-the-cross/