Stations of the Cross V: Pilate
As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’ Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Mark 15: 1-5, 15 (NRSV)
5. Pilate
all of it is smoke and mirrors.
law. judgement. righteousness.
me.
you look to us and see power--
but what power do i have
if i cannot save the life
of an innocent man?
all of this is too much for me.
what was i supposed to do?
you cry out against us, the powers
you grumble in the streets
you say you have no voice
but here i am--
with an Accused who says nothing
and you who say so much.
what was i supposed to do?
and You.
did You know i would be caught?
did You plan it this way?
did You know that i would be too weak
to push past the noise
to do what i knew should be done
and save You?
do You mock me, too?
like the voices of the crowd i pretend to loathe
but i actually serve?
--
God our Guide, You created the immovable mountains and the ever-moving seas. Forgive us for the times we are too easily swayed by the currents of the crowd, instead of holding fast to what we know is good. Root us in You, Your love, and Your purpose, that we might be firm in our convictions and give ourselves fully to Your work. Amen.
--
Slats (they/them/theirs) is a queer/trans/nonbinary Presbyterian (PCUSA). They hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama and a Master of Divinity and they deeply love liturgy and hymnody. They write, preach, teach and often work as a director and sound designer for live theater. They are currently in the ordination process, and spend much of their time working toward claiming queer/trans space in Christianity.
Slats' website is https://www.slatsite.com and their book, Queering Lent, can be found at http://a.co/4nAGn29.
