The Sixth Station: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns Luke 22:63-65; John 19:2-3 Luke: Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” They kept heaping many other insults on him. John: And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to... Read more
My most recent column for the Patheos Preachers Portal is up. Here’s how it begins: Easter requires peculiar preaching. I don’t mean this in a negative way. I mean that preaching on Easter is unusual for a variety of reasons. Preachers would do well, I believe, to attend to the distinctive demands of Easter preaching, so that we might be faithful and effective channels of the good news of the resurrection. You can find the rest here. Read more
The Fifth Station: Jesus is Judged by Pilate Luke 23:13-25 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I... Read more
As we come upon Holy Week, many of us wonder why Jesus was put to death. Some of us approach this question from an historical point of view: Why did the Romans put Jesus to death? Why did some of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem work for the death of Jesus? We may wonder how Jesus himself understood the necessity of his death, since he spoke of it in the Gospels. Why did Jesus think he had to die? Others... Read more
The Fourth Station: Peter Denies Jesus Luke 22:54-62 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.”... Read more
The Third Station: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin Luke 22:66-71 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of... Read more
The Second Station: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, Is Arrested Luke 22:47-48 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” Reflection A few years ago, there was much abuzz about Judas as Holy Week approached. With great fanfare, the National Geographic Society had... Read more
Luke 22:39-46 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” [Then an angel from heaven appeared to him... Read more
Can We Find God in the City? Psalm 48:1-14 Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem. Walk around and count the many towers. Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels, that you may describe them to future generations. For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die. Psalm 48:12-14 In Psalm 48, Jerusalem is so closely associated with God that it reflects God’s own... Read more
Can We Find God in the City? Psalm 48:1-14 Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem. Walk around and count the many towers. Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels, that you may describe them to future generations. For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die. Psalm 48:12-14 In Psalm 48, Jerusalem is so closely associated with God that it reflects God’s own... Read more
Mark D. Roberts
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