The Scripture for today are: Psalms 121,122,123,124,125,126; Jere 25:8-17; Romans 10:1-13 & John 9:18-41
With apologies for missing the blog yesterday, here are the next two Stations of the Cross:
The Fourth Station: Jesus is Denied by Peter
Scripture: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about!" As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazorean." Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man!" A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away." At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly.
Matthew 26: 69-75
The Fifth Station: Jesus is Judged by Pilate
Scripture: The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of." Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.... Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barrabas... [and] handed [Jesus] over to be crucified.
Mark 15: 1-5, 15
In our journey to and through the suffering of Christ we come to these two Stations. Both involve denial. Peter's denial is foretold by Jesus, but nevertheless leaves Peter sick within himself. I love Rembrandt's portrayal of the denial of Jesus. Look carefully and beyond Peter's right shoulder you can see the faint image of Jesus looking back towards him. Peter wanted to be brave, but he succumbed (as I probably would have also) to his own self survival. As a result, he is wracked with guilt and shame and does not know how to get out of it. The answer will come much later - on a lake shore weeks later when Jesus appears to him after his resurrection and speaks grace and forgiveness to him. [Note John 21].
Pilate's denial is not the active denial of Peter; is much more a passive one. He does not know who Jesus really is; but neither does he take to time to understand. He is the man going through life depending upon his own self...surviving, getting ahead, seeking comfortability and compromise over inquiry, wisdom, and truth. Pilate is to be pitied over Peter. Peter will find redemption in the forgiveness of Christ. Pilate will be summoned back to Rome by the Emperor to explain his messed-up rule. Before he arrived back in Rome the Emperor died. Nothing is really known of his life after that. Some sources claim he became a Christian, but equally there are sources that state he ended his life in suicide. We won't know for certain who is correct.
We need to stand before these two stations and reflect on our own soul. There have many times when I have not been faithful in my response to Jesus. It can be done at times intentionally (Peter) or passively (Pilate); but nevertheless it is a reality of my faith life that it has been done. The question at that time needs to be face: Do I choose Jesus? and when I don't, do I feel remorse? a need to repent and receive forgiveness?
Sometimes the most difficult thing in life to do is to receive forgiveness? Yet, this is the Station I most need to stay at and pray.
A Prayer:
"Father, Lord Jesus, for those many times I have actively chosen to deny you, I ask your forgiveness. Specifically, right now, I ask you to forgive me for ___________________. I confess that you are Savior and Lord, and I love you more than I can say. I choose today to walk with you and to love your ways. Teach me, guide me, and help me in your name I pray. Amen."
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