Jesus is Condemned

Mark 14:55-56
The chief priests with the whole Sanhedrin were busy solicinting testimony against Jesus that would lead to his death, but they could not find any. Many people gave false evidence against Jesus, but their stories did not agree. . .

"Jesus stands condemned. He stands with everyone who has stood before tribunals and courts, without lawyer or counsel, not understanding the language of the culture, those who run out of time in their appeals, those who are tried as adults though they are juveniles, children or mentally retarded or uneducated. He stands with those falsely accused, those who face imprisonment and death because evidence is not allowed to be entered into their trial proceedings, and those who are caught in a system that has decided this was the time to make a statement on being tough on crime--"three strikes and you're out"--or appeal to a consitituency that is mired in its own fears and insecurity and so feels the need to single out someone for punishment. . . . " excerpt from "The New Stations of the Cross" by Megan McKenna


Almighty God, in the person of Jesus, you humbled yourself to walk with us, to share your great love and to teach us what we need to know to be your people. You stood up for the weak and defenseless, you challenged the status-quo, and upset the powers-that-be, so much so that you were condemned. As a people of the cross, you call us to do the same. Show us the way to stand up for the poor, the weak, the hopeless. And give us the strength to follow the vision you will provide.

We ask your blessing on Angela Miller, Martha Duran-Perry, Roseann Ortega and Juanita Arrazo, Dean and Nancy Plotner. For your children made in your image, Daniel Bolls, Gayle Johnson, Sandee Walker, Kevin Brick, and Carrie Walker. We lift up William Buckingham to your tender mercy. We remember the women of the and Gatesville Unit, and Delores Pointer, Brenda White, James H. Mills, Kevin Simon.

Forgive us when we lose our focus on your message. Forgive us for becoming comfortable with our interpretation of your love for us and the world. Challenge us and our status-quo again today. Although the fullness of your message may be more than we can understand, we ask that you continue teaching us, each one who asks, as we continue to walk in your grace, in the name of Jesus Christ.