Contemporary Stations - Station Five, Judged by Pilate

Held to blame stood the blameless, guilt upon the innocent. Horrifying shouts for death from riotous crowds. There you stood, before the Prefect of Judea, Pontius Pilate (who washed his hands clean of the deed). You the innocent to be tried and judged guilty. Aching heart, beating full in my chest ... I wonder at the sacrifice; you who is the perfect gift of love to be condemned for the likes of me.

I have done many a horrific deed; stains upon hands that have partaken in much wrong doing. I am the guilty, not you! And yet, there you stood before Pilate - accused, convicted, condemned. All for love ... all for redemption ... all for salvation. My salvation, my redemption (love? for even me?). Lord Jesus? how could you ... ? why would you ... ? I cannot ever repay the debt you have covered.

Father God, let me be judged - the sinful creature I am - not your son ... let not innocent blood be spilled for my crimes! I am a child of God because of your sacrifice, Lord Jesus; accused, convicted, condemned - to death ... my death ... to yet live eternally with you in heaven. Father God, thank you for the atonement that I am not worthy of through the condemnation of the innocent.

LDG5

Saturday, Lenten Day 10, LDG5-10:

1) Wonderful support

2) Funerals

3) Birthdays

4) Husbands that remember the little things

5) Kitty Cats that are so entertaining

Contemporary Stations - Station Four, Denied by Peter

I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for Christ to walk his last week of life knowing that he was to be betrayed by someone close to him, condemned by priestly authorities, and denied by Peter, his right-hand man. How, Lord Jesus, were you able to sustain yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually?

You were betrayed and taken before the courts of the Sanhedrin where you were condemned - guilty with no chance of being proven innocent; yet the most grievous injury had to be the denial by Peter. Peter was the natural leader of the disciples, your chosen twelve who were your ever present and constant companions for three years. With Peter's denial came the rejection and denial of the remaining eleven. All fled in fear that night ... none stood by your side ... not a one remained beside you in your defense.

I faced them, in the large room, confessing my "sin" before the entire group of friends - I too had been betrayed and condemned. My punishment was to stand before them all and confess. Confession of crimes I did not commit, sins that were not mine. And I did - stand before them all; acquaintances and friends, those I thought of as family and she whom was my best friend - and I asked for forgiveness. And they? ... some fled (fear?), and some walked out the door (anger?), and those closest to me turned their backs to me (shunned). And I? ... slouched and slunk out the door past them, head down and fighting back the bitter angry tears ... and I thought "but I asked for forgiveness."

Lord Jesus, you knew of your denial and were prepared. You gave warning to your closest friend to prepare him for the guilt that he would carry. And you forgave him; when next Peter would look upon you, shame weighing heavy on his countenance, you offered him redemption. Father God, I have not been able to forgive as your Son has; I cannot let go of the hurt caused me and I carry such anger that it separates me from you. Lord Jesus, teach me the way - your way - to a right spirit and a healed body, mind, and soul.

Contemporary Stations - Station Three, Accused by the Sanhedrin

I stood before them, my three accusers, silent and dumbfounded; the only sound beyond their accusations were my sobs between heartbroken tears. In their minds I was guilty before I even entered the room; I wronged them and their angry words forbade any plea of innocence that I could render. And so I stood there ... shoulders slumped, head dropped, eyes diverted, tears falling to the floor as I accepted their verbal assault ... for there was nothing more that I could do.

And Jesus Christ stood before those who would accuse him; alone in a room with angry voices crying outburst upon outburst, insult upon insult, and accusations that would ultimately bring about his death. Betrayed and abandoned by his closest companions, Christ stood silent before the Sanhedrin that hurled their vehement lies. Did he know fear, the fear that I felt as I stood before my accusers? Could he have defended himself in the wake of such a chaotic trial? Could he have said anything that would have appeased the accusers and yet not denied himself? No! And I know this because there was not anything that I could have said that would have stayed the angry voices that assailed me.

I know not where my strength came from, Father God, but I know that you - through Christ Jesus - were there with me - my comforter and my redeemer. On Christ the solid rock I stand and yet how many times do I turn and leap off of that rock, sinking in the sand and longing for salvation? Father God, continue to uplift me and support me when I cause my path to become quicksand.

Contemporary Stations - Station Two, Betrayal by Judas Iscariot

And so you are betrayed, yet not a mere betrayal - a betrayal that not only cuts the heart but wounds the spirit; betrayed by a trusted companion, a friend, one of your chosen disciples. The weight of accepting the cup from which you must drink barely minutes past and now a new weight thrust upon your shoulders - betrayal.

On this night of such darkness, this "dark night of the soul", there was not merely one betrayal but three. Christ betrayed by one of his chosen disciples, Judas Iscariot betrayed by the Sanhedrin, and Judas' own betrayal by himself ... for Judas most certainly must have lied to himself if he honestly believed this betrayal of his Lord to the Jewish leaders would force Christ into quick military action. Did you, my Lord Jesus Christ, also betray yourself? An opportunity for an "out" during that last supper that you did not take? The strength that you surely must possess - to know you are to suffer at the hands of man and yet ready to accept that fate. Were that I could be like you, Lord; willing to readily accept what Father God would ask of me, willing to trust so completely that I would put my life into His hands, acquiescent to "your will, not mine".

Father God, I too have felt the sting of betrayal and if I'm honest with myself I admit that I do betray myself ... constantly. Father God, I am reminded that I do not walk this path of betrayal alone for your Son has experienced betrayal and all of the hurt and pain that accompanies. Christ you know my ache for you too have looked into the eyes of the betrayer, felt the breath of betrayal upon your face, the kiss upon your cheek. Strengthen me Father God through you Son Jesus Christ and remove this grudge that I carry from these sagging shoulders.

LDG5

Friday, Lenten Day 9, LDG5-9:

1) leftovers :)

2) Caprica

3) people who have confidence in me

4) the opportunity to volunteer

5) UMW Circle and Unit members who so willingly offer help!

LDG5

Thursday, Lenten Day 8, LDG5-8:

1) Chancel Choir

2) Dominoes Pizza

3) Snow flurries that the wind tosses to and fro

4) Jet noise, the sound of freedom

5) Excellent officers who make me look good