Station One: Jesus is Condemned

At the beginning of the Passion story, Jesus is condemned to death by the leaders of his own faith. Pilot wasn’t entirely convinced…but he knew absolving Jesus would have consequences for his political future.

Have you ever been unjustly condemned? Lied about, judged, shamed, or wrongly accused? Conversely, have you ever been the one perpetrating the injury? Perhaps you just went along with the crowd even though you had your doubts? The thing about bible stories is that we can always find ourselves playing multiple parts at different times in our lives. We don’t always get it right… but we hope that even if we get it wrong that we might learn, forgive or be forgiven. That is the Way of the Cross—To find purpose in our suffering, to endure in Hope, and to forgive in the end. To be cleansed by the fire and forged into steel rather than remain weak in spirit.

Christ allowed himself to be arrested and condemned so we may not be alone in similar circumstances.

Christ allowed himself to be arrested and condemned so we may not be alone in similar circumstances. He submitted to God’s will so we might see what it is to let go of everything we hold dear for the higher calling of Love. None of us ever wants to be condemned, but as Christians we know Jesus walks with us if we are…the Christ who knows how much love can hurt.

Color is symbolic in each of my Stations pieces: Red = Points of pain; White = Movement of the Holy Spirit; Blue = God’s presence; Black = the weight of the cross; Neutrals = Humanity.