Prayer Reflection on the First Station of the Cross

The First Station of the Cross: Jesus is Condemned to Death

Dear Jesus, you are the King of Kings and You are my King. Help me to show Your glory in the world; through everything that I say or do, let it all be a sign that points back to You. Let me speak of You with joy and live my life in a way that glorifies Yours.

In the world, I feel condemnation for You from many different ‘Pilates’, sometimes even including myself. Help me to release You in my mind and in my heart to work in my life for good. I want to love and serve You with all that I do.

Dear Jesus, how ashamed I am to be one of the voices in the crowd that called out for Your death. How merciful You are to still look at me with love and acceptance, now and always. In the hard moments, where I am weak and face temptation, be right with me and guide my heart with Your Holy Spirit, convicting me of the next right step to take.

As I ponder this first station of the Cross, I commit to walk with You on Your journey towards Calvary. Draw me near to You this Holy Week and let me seek Your glory in my prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In Your holy name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is as you say.” The chief priests began to accuse Him harshly. Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!” But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed.

Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. // Mark 15:1-15