The Fifth Station of the Cross: Seeing What's Important

Courtesy: Vatican Museum

"Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 'Are you the king of the Jews?' asked Pilate. 'Yes, it is as you say,' Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, 'Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of. But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed ... Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified." - Mark 15:1-5, 15 (NIV)

There is a time for being quiet, and there is a time for speaking up. In this case, as he stood before Pontius Pilate, Jesus chose the quiet route. The reason? He knew they would not believe when He said He was God. As a matter, the Jews that heard Him picked up stones to stone Him (see John 10:22-33).

In the celebration of the Stations of the Cross by Pope John Paul II in 1991, the minister prayed this prayer:
"Lord, grant us discernment that we may see as you see, not as the world sees."

Jesus said that only His sheep would believe Him. He said that if we love Him, we will obey Him (see John 14:15). The way to obey Him is to speak to Him through prayer and to read His Word, the Bible, every day. It also helps to get involved with a church that preaches the Bible and its members follow what it says.

In that way, we can see things the way God sees them, and not the world.

(Editor's note: This is part of a series of the Stations of the Cross.)