Serving God in the heart of our community since 1881

St Andrew's Church, Taunton

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The Stations of the Cross:

Jesus before Pilate

Reading:   Mark (15.14-15)

Pilate asked them, `Why, what evil has he done?'  But they shouted all the more, `Crucify him!'  So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.  

Meditation

“Are you the King of the Jews?”

“You say so”

Justice, like a splinter of light, cuts through Pilate’s political cynicism and fear for his own position.  He glimpses a world far removed from the one he knows.  He searches for a way forward:  a way that will release an innocent man, appease these vociferous religious rulers and safeguard the power of Rome.  Barabbas:  he makes his offer to the crowd who reject it with savage anger and hatred.

The moment is gone and Pilate loses sight of that other world: his choice is made and Jesus is handed over to torture and death.

Still today men and women unjustly accuse and judge others because they cannot allow truth and justice to lighten their darkness.  They deny the equality of all people, they refuse freedom of speech and tolerance of beliefs not their own.  They twist all they see and hear to justify their own self interests.

And still today, whenever truth is denied, the one who is Truth is close by, waiting, loving and believing that, in the end, we will hear Him and allow him to transform the darkness of injustice with his merciful Light and Life.  

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you were condemned to death

for political expediency:

be with those who are imprisoned

for the convenience of the powerful.

You were the victim of unbridled injustice:

change the minds and motivations

of oppressors and exploiters

to your way of peace.

To you, Jesus, innocent though condemned,

be honour and glory with the Father

and the Holy Spirit,

now and for ever.   Amen.

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