The sham trial had proceeded as expected. Jesus claimed that he was the Son of God. False witnesses contradicted themselves in their testimony. Yet Caiaphas obtained the pre-arranged death sentence. This penalty must be pronounced by the Romans, however, so the Jews took Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate, a weak man, anxious to avoid responsibility, send Jesus to King Herod. But Our Lord refused to answer this vicious king’s questions, so Herod mocked him and returned him to Pilate. Annoyed when saddled with the case, once more, Pilate offered to release Jesus or Barabbas, a murderer. To his surprise the Jews’ choice was persisted and definite. They wanted Barabbas released and Jesus crucified. Still loath to execute an innocent man, Pilate decided to have him scourged and set free. Roman soldiers carried out these orders and when they had whipped Our Lord, they squeezed a crown of thorns into his head and thrust a reed in his hand and mocked him. Pilate then presented the bruised and bleeding Christ to the mob, with the words, “Behold the man,” sure that his pitiful condition would arouse their sympathy.

But still they screamed, “Crucify him, Crucify him,” so the spineless governor shrugged and pronounced the death sentence. The sorry procession was formed and Our Lord, a heavy cross on his back, was prodded on his way to Calvary. Fearing that he would collapse from exhaustion, the soldiers forced Simon the Cyrenian to help Jesus carry the cross. As Our Lord stumbled along, a group of women sobbed as they watched him. Touched by their tears he told them to weep for themselves and their children.

When Calvary had been reached, the soldiers ripped off his garments and stretched Jesus out on the cross. He refused their offer of some wine mixed with vinegar, and they proceeded to drive spikes through his hands and feet to fasten him to the cross. When a board had been placed above his head on which the Romans had written in mockery: “Jesus of Nazareth, Kink of the Jews,” the cross was raised and made firm in the ground. Our Lord’s only words during this hideous suffering were, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Almost three hours later, his mother, Mary, and St. John, who stood at the foot of the cross with a few other friends, saw that the end was now near. Jesus whispered, “I am thirsty,” and let them wet his lips with vinegar. At last, he murmured, “It is finished,” and cried out in a loud voice: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” His sacred head dropped, and Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, was dead.

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