Via Crucis :: Immersion

Third Station:  Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin (Luke 22: 66-71)

^66-67 When it was morning, the religious leaders of the people and the high priests and scholars all got together and brought him before their High Council. They said, "Are you the Messiah?"

 ^67-69 He answered, "If I said yes, you wouldn't believe me. If I asked what you meant by your question, you wouldn't answer me. So here's what I have to say: From here on the Son of Man takes his place at God's right hand, the place of power."

 ⁷⁰ They all said, "So you admit your claim to be the Son of God?"

   "You're the ones who keep saying it," he said.

 ⁷¹ But they had made up their minds, "Why do we need any more evidence? We've all heard him as good as say it himself."

You weren't just condemned, Christ Jesus, were you? You were self-incriminating. You spoke no word in your defense, stood silent before those that would accuse, allowed yourself to be condemned. What is one to think of that? What am I to make of that. You willingly walked toward your demise. Am I, as a follower of you Christ Jesus, meant to do the same? If ever a situation were to arise where I am to stand before accusers, would I be able to be so restrained? 


John Ericson spoke of a tale: In a future Earth where to be (as in verb - action) Christian meant to be condemned to death a man was brought before the judges to be condemned. The prosecutor presented evidence of the crimes - the man attends church every Sunday, he reads the Holy Bible and not only reads it but marks it and highlights the book. The man stood before his accusers and waited on baited breath. The judges deliberated and found the man not guilty. The man was at first thrilled but then shocked. He was not condemned? How could this be? The judge spoke, "he does act as a Christian." 


Father God, when it is that I stand accused, may I be so condemned that I am to be put to death for the deeds that I have done.