Station 1 – Jesus is condemned to die by Pontius Pilate
Posted: April 6, 2012 Filed under: Stations of the Cross | Tags: condemned, death penalty, Dream Act, Pilate, Pontius Pilate 1 Comment
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“Prevailing Voices”
Looking at this piece we stand in the position of judge, looking at Jesus, the migrant, being accused. We “hear” the voices of the crowd calling for death, despite Pilate’s and Herod’s assessments that Jesus has done nothing that would lead to a punishment of death.
We’ve posted here the account according to Luke. Other gospel accounts report that Pilate symbolically washed his hands in front of the crowd, telling them that he is not responsible for Jesus’ death.
The bloody water-filled bowl which is displayed in front of this piece represents the water that Pilate used to wash his hands, suggesting that his hands can never become clean of his actions. He is in fact responsible for what he has done.
Are we responsible for the judgments coming from the crowd?
Do we “wash our hands” of injustices by looking the other way?
How do the voices of injustice prevail in our society?
Grace Commons Community
Erin Toolis
Jeff Courter
Kristin Riegel
Jon Phillips
Virginia Braxton
Jim Braxton
Eric Binkley
Scott Long
Rob Clearfield
Nanette Sawyer
Scripture related to this station is included in the comments of this post.
Stations of the Cross 
Luke 23:13-25
Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. So I will have him flogged, but then I will release him.”
Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas was in prison for murder and for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government.) Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. But they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. I will therefore flog him and let him go.” But the crowd shouted louder and louder for Jesus’ death, and their voices prevailed.
So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he delivered Jesus over to them to do as they wished.