Station 1: Pilate Condemns Jesus to Die

Matthew 27 (ESV)

Jesus Before Pilate

¹¹ Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” ¹² But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” ¹⁴ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

²⁴ So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves…^26b and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.”

These verses have always bothered me. Why didn’t Jesus speak up? I wish He would have told them who He was. I wish He would have confronted the crowds…had a moment. Where were all those that could have spoken on His behalf? Were they there? Why didn’t anyone stand up for Him? Where were those He had healed from leprosy and blindness? Where were those who were fed with bread and fish on the mountainside?

In terms of humanity, Pilate was the powerful one and Jesus was the weak one. And yet, in light of the Kingdom, Pilate was never in control of anything, really. Pilate could not make Christ confess. Pilate could not find the courage to do what was right.

The powerful are not always the most courageous.

Have you ever been alone? Have you ever wished you could speak up and have made things right? Have you ever been falsely accused and felt the stab of betrayal? Have you been treated unfairly by someone in a place of power?

Perhaps you were the one who stood silently by and watched the innocent be condemned. Perhaps you did not speak up for others who needed a voice. I have been there and watched from a distance. Where was my courage?

Lord, forgive me for my silence.

I am quick to judge Pilate. Yet, have I ever given in to pressure from others? Have I ever chosen the easy path over the right path?

Prayer: Jesus, I see in your silence the quiet strength that reveals peace and resolve.  O Lord, help me deal with the unfairness of life without becoming critical of others.  Help me to be sensitive to the pain and feelings of others.  Give me the courage to do what is right without being swayed by the demands of others. Lead me to the cross.

Song of Worship: Lead Me to the Cross

*Portions of the text have been adapted from public domain guides from across multiple denominations.