Home Straight from a Youth Worker's Mouth - Lenten Devotional Series: Week 3

Straight from a Youth Worker's Mouth - Lenten Devotional Series: Week 3

Lent is the forty weekdays leading up to Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday. For early Christians this time was used to prepare candidates for baptism and also became a time of penitence for those who had already been baptized. For most of us Lent has become a time of prayer, meditation and reflection.

As Christians we are to follow the way that Christ has shown us and prepared for us. We are to follow him all the way to God by way of the Cross. As we move deeper into this Lenten season there will be many things going on in our churches and in our ministries. I want to encourage you to take time for yourself, spend time following Jesus and his path to Life.

The Stations of the Cross have provided focused meditation during the Lenten season for Christ Followers all over the world. There are many forms of this tradition and many ways it has been presented and practiced. This series is based on "The Scriptural Way – Stations of the Cross." There are fourteen stations, two will be presented each week to give you an opportunity to have time to meditate and reflect on them over the course of the forty days of Lent. I pray that these devotions help you Follow Christ even closer than you already are.

Joy and Peace,
Christy Allen
[email protected]

Editor’s note: There are several different interpretations of the Stations of the Cross. This Lenten series utilizes one. For other versions, consult a theological dictionary or web resources.


Station #5 – Jesus is Judged by Pontius Pilate
Read Mark 15:1-5, 15

Jesus was brought to Pilate by the Sanhedrin; but Pilate found no reason to condemn Him. Pilate was confused by Jesus and their reaction to Him. Not knowing what to do, Pilate took Jesus to Herod to let him deal with the situation. Herod was amused by Jesus yet also found no fault in him – no reason to condemn him. So, Herod returned him to Pilate. Pilate questioned him again, and was even more confused. Still, he finding no fault in Jesus and passed his right of judgment on to the people. He asked the crowds, "Barabbas or Jesus?" Surely they would pick Jesus – but, the people wanted Barabbas. Pilate, more confused than ever, did not want to deal with Jesus anymore and literally "washed his hands" of the situation as the people demanded that Jesus be crucified.

Put yourself in Pilate’s shoes. Imagine his confusion and frustration. Picture the crazed crowd calling for the death of Jesus. As you live in this scene for a few minutes, pray for those who wash their hands of justice because it’s the easier road to take.

Prayer:

Spotless Lamb of God,
We are still surrounded by people who don’t know how to react to you, who don’t know what to do with you. Sometimes we are confronted by these people, they question our choice to serve you with our lives. Sometimes they are like Pilate, fighting to understand you, asking us to explain and prove you are the Son of God. Others are like the angry mob, trying to ban you from our neighborhoods and lives. We pray now for those who don’t know you, for those who don’t understand you, for those who wash their hands of you, and for those who don’t know what to do with you. Open all of our hearts and their minds, and show us opportunities to bring understanding by showing your love. Amen.


Station #6 – Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns
Read John 19:1-3

The soldiers not only beat Jesus just short of death, they also mocked him cruelly. The soldiers had a reputation of being ruthless and mean, especially to the Jewish people. Now that they had the "King of the Jews" they were going to bring their cruelty to a new level. Think about the hatred portrayed in this scene. As you are pondering, think about the cruelty that still exists against the marginalized in our society and in the world.

Prayer:

Precious Jesus,
How we shudder to think of the cruelty, the hatred of which we humans are capable. We find it hard to comprehend the atrocities people inflict upon each other around the world. How it must break your heart! Forgive us for times of numbness to it all, we are quick to forget when it is not in front of us. We pray for all the precious ones who are oppressed, trapped in war, or forced to live in fear. Comfort them; let them feel your presence with them in their despair. Give us renewed fervor to pray with them, and to do whatever we can to bring them relief and freedom. Help us to open our eyes, our hearts, our wallets, and our mouths to bring awareness and healing so that they are not forgotten. Amen.


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