When we do the Stations of the Cross, there can be a tendency to quickly pass the First Station - Jesus is Condemned to Death - and see it almost as a prelude to the action. Yet it is absolutely a magnificent moment of encounter between Jesus and the Roman Governor. The Jew before the pagan. The dialogue between Jesus and Pilate (John 18:33-38),(Lk.23:3 and Mk 15:2-5),(Mt. 27:11-14) and St. Matthew's account of Pilate's wife's dream (Mt.27:19) and the famous scene of Pilate washing his hands of Jesus' blood (Mt.27:24-25) is tremendously challenging for us. What did Pilate think of the man who stood before him?
When you consider this First Station, don't see it from the perspective off Jesus alone; see it from the eyes, heart, mind, and will of the one who speaks the sentence of death.
