Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. Matthew 27:55-56, NIV

Amidst the chaos and cruelty, the women at the cross stand as beacons of unwavering devotion. Their presence, a silent testament to love, contrasts sharply with the jeering crowd. They offer no grand gestures; they are simply there in a profound act of solidarity.

In their grief, they embody what it is to witness suffering with steadfast faith. Their tears are not a sign of weakness but a powerful expression of love that transcends fear. We can learn from their courage and stand with those who suffer, offer a presence in moments of pain, and find strength in unwavering faith.

Let's pray
Lord, grant me the courage to stand with those who suffer. Help me to offer my presence, even when words seem inadequate, and to embody the love that transcends fear. Strengthen my faith and teach me to find fulfilment in loving others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. Matthew 27:32, NLT

Simon of Cyrene, a passerby, was compelled to bear the weight of another’s suffering. Lent invites us to recognise the Simon within ourselves.

He didn’t volunteer; he was forced into the task. But in that shared burden, a profound connection was forged. Imagine the rough wood of the cross, the laboured breaths, the silent understanding between Simon and Jesus. It wasn’t about grand gestures, but about simple, agonising solidarity in the face of suffering.

This Lent, we can choose to support those around us who cary their own burdens. In sharing the weight, we not only lighten the load but also position them so they might catch a glimpse of Jesus' face in the process.

Let's pray
Lord, would you point me to those I can treat with your love and compassion, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. Teach me to offer my hands, hearts, and strength. Help me to be willing to share in the pain of others, knowing that in doing so, I share you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[a] Barabbas.  So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Matthew 27:15, NIV

Barabbas is the only person in the Bible who could, in a physical sense, say, "Christ died for me."

His name holds profound meaning. In Aramaic, "bar" means "son," and "abba" means "father," often translated as "the Father." So, Barabbas' name literally means "son of the father." In the Greek manuscripts of verses 16 and 17, we read, "And they had then a notable prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. Therefore, when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

Pilate presents the crowd with a choice between two men named Jesus. One is Jesus Barabbas, the son of an earthly father, and the other is Jesus, the Son of the Heavenly Father. The choice is stark, yet the crowd chooses Barabbas.

This choice between the two figures symbolises the decision we all must make. Will we choose Jesus Barabbas, who represents everything the world values, or Jesus, the Christ, the eternal Son of the Father?

Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, I know that only Jesus has the power to cleanse, forgive, justify, and transform me. Only he can perfect me for his glory for all eternity. So, I choose Jesus. I embrace the life he offers and walk in the freedom he has won for me. Help me to continually prefer him. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him.  And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head.  And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. Matthew 27:27-31, ESV

Is it plausible for the Pharisees and chief priests to have employed a Roman Battalian, or around 600 soldiers, to arrest Jesus? While it may seem excessive for one man, some factors shed light on why such a large force was called for.

First, the potential for civil unrest. The mention of a mob in addition to the soldiers in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark tell us this wasn’t a quiet, discreet arrest. The crowd consisted of people drawn to Jesus out of curiosity, devotion, or opposition. Things could easily have escalated.

Second, the failure of the Temple police to arrest Jesus earlier indicates the authorities had encountered difficulty in detaining him. There is a very real possibility that they feared the unpredictability of Jesus' power and influence, especially considering his miraculous deeds and reputation.

Lastly, we witness the fear experienced by the soldiers at the moment Jesus declares, "I am He". They fall to the ground! This was no routine arrest.

By contrast, Jesus’ calm acceptance of the arrest in the face of such overwhelming force is a testament to his divine authority, knowing that his mission was unfolding according to God’s plan, no matter the size of the opposition.

Let’s pray
Lord, help me trust you in the face of opposition or fear. I will not be dismayed because I know you are with me. Give me courage to speak for truth knowing that you work all things together for my good. You are God, there is none like you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

"What is truth?" Pilate asked, John 19:38, NIV

How could a man stand face-to-face with the Son of God, declare him innocent, and still condemn him to death?

To understand and learn from Pilate’s actions, we must first recognise that his mindset was shaped by the world he lived in. Pilate seems to have idolised the Roman Empire and material facts. His questions to Jesus were political and based on objective reasoning because he believed everything could be explained through power and verifiable truths. He couldn’t accept that faith requires allowing room for mystery and the supernatural, so he dismissed Jesus as just another man.

Pilate’s status and authority also played a crucial role. As a Roman governor, he likely considered himself very powerful. When confronted with Jesus, he felt that power slipping away. Instead of challenging the demands of the crowd, Pilate chose to protect his position and bow to their pressure.

In the end, Pilate clung to his worldview and refused to embrace the Gospel.

Let’s pray
Lord, give me the courage to confront my reliance on worldly power and status. Help me choose faith over comfort, truth over fear, and follow the path you’ve set before me resisting pressure to go to the left or to the right. I fix my eyes on you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

While court was still in session, Pilate’s wife sent him a message: “Don’t get mixed up in judging this noble man. I’ve just been through a long and troubled night because of a dream about him.” Matthew 27:19. MSG

Pilate’s wife, though unnamed, offers a quiet yet powerful challenge to the forces of power. Her dream, a warning of Jesus’s innocence, disrupts the prevailing narrative of condemnation. She speaks truth to her husband, standing as a voice of conscience amid political expediency. Her plea, though ultimately ignored, brings to light the moral struggle within the Passion story.

Lent invites us to reflect on her perspective: the burden of knowing the truth and the frustration of witnessing injustice. How often do we remain silent when our conscience calls us to act? We can learn from her courage to speak truth, even when it is inconvenient, and understand the power of one voice in the face of oppression.

Let's pray
Give me the courage to speak truth in moments when it is difficult or unpopular to hear. Strengthen my heart to stand for righteousness. Help me grow in wisdom and boldness, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort! Luke 23:8, NIV

I’ve sometimes been asked to play a game where players choose anyone—alive or dead—that they would want to have dinner with. They then list four questions they would ask their guests. Many Christians would likely choose Jesus, but what if you weren’t a believer? Would you still choose him? And if you did, how would you feel if he refused to answer your questions?

This is the situation Herod Antipas finds himself in during the trial of Jesus. When Pilate discovered Jesus was from Galilee, he sent him to Herod, who ruled that region. Herod was an evil and ruthless ruler who had ordered the beheading of Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, but he was “greatly pleased” to see Jesus, having long hoped for a chance to meet him. What he wanted, however, wasn’t a conversation—it was a spectacle.
Herod bombarded Jesus with questions. Jesus refused to answer. There were no miracles performed.

Jesus’ silence was a profound display of obedience to the Father's will. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most powerful response to the noise around us is simply stillness and trust in God’s plan. Jesus’ mission was not to satisfy curiosity or prove himself in the face of scepticism, but to fulfil the redemptive work set before him. How often do we seek answers or validation in the wrong places, when what we truly need is to trust God's timing – even if he is silent?

Let’s pray:
Lord, help me recognise the power of silence and trust in your wisdom and perfect timing. I surrender my questions and find peace in your presence today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed” John 11:50, NLT

Caiaphas, the son-in-law of Annas, was the acting high priest who presided over Jesus's Jewish trial. A Sadducee, he served as high priest for nineteen years, a remarkable tenure given that high priests were typically deposed after just one year in office. That suggests he was politically focused and determined to preserve his place.

When the Sanhedrin convened to decide what to do about Jesus following the raising of Lazarus, they feared that if Jesus continued performing signs, he would gain widespread support, prompting the Romans to destroy the temple and the nation. It was Caiaphas who spoke, saying, “You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed” (John 11:50). John says that Caiaphas, unknowingly, prophesied. God spoke through him, revealing that Jesus' death would bring salvation not only to Israel but also to the Gentiles. Following this meeting, the Sanhedrin set their plans in motion to have Jesus killed.

Caiaphas unwittingly co-operated with the Father’s redemption plans proving God's purpose prevails, even when humans scheme.

Let’s pray
Lord, thank you that your sovereign plan triumphs. Help me to feed on your faithfulness and trust that your purpose will always be worked out in my life and circumstances. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[e] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers. Matthew 21:12-13, NIV

Annas was a member of the Sadducees, the elite ruling class in first-century Judea. He and his family were notorious for their greed. Much of their wealth came from their control over the "booths of the sons of Annas," market stalls located on the Mount of Olives. They also ran stalls inside the temple complex, in the Court of the Gentiles. Through these, they monopolised the sale of sacrificial animals and the exchange of money into temple coins for offerings, charging exorbitant prices and exploiting the poor to amass their wealth. When Jesus entered the temple, he drove out the money changers and sellers, condemning their corrupt practices. This action struck a financial blow to Annas’s family.

According to John, Jesus was initially brought before Annas before being sent to Caiaphas who was the current high priest and leader of the Sanhedrin. Annas is likely the one most responsible for orchestrating the arrest, trial, and crucifixion. He highlights the dangers of unchecked power, greed, and the willingness to compromise righteousness for personal gain.

Let's pray
Lord, guard my heart against the temptations of greed and power. Help me to adhere to your standards and seek righteousness and integrity above all else, following your example of justice and compassion. Guide me to act with humility, reflecting your love and truth in all that I do. In Jesus’, name. Amen.

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Matthew 21: 50-52, NIV

Malchus' story is mentioned in all four Gospels, though only John directly names him. In Mark, Matthew, and Luke, he is simply referred to as "the servant of the high priest." It’s likely that the high priest sent him, along with soldiers and Judas Iscariot, to arrest Jesus. In doing so, Malchus came face to face with someone unlike any other—a man who would show kindness even in the midst of betrayal and injustice.

Each Gospel recounts that one of Jesus' followers (Peter, in John’s account) drew a sword and cut off Malchus’ ear. Jesus, however, responded by rebuking Peter and miraculously healing Malchus' ear.

Could Malchus represent the many unbelievers who, in their attempt to come to Jesus are hurt by the actions of careless Christians who don’t fully grasp the extent of God’s love and grace?

Perhaps today is a good day to reflect on our own mistakes. Let’s ask God for forgiveness for the times we’ve treated others thoughtlessly and pray that those around us who don’t know Jesus might experience a personal encounter with his grace, kindness, and forgiveness.

Let’s pray
Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve caused harm or been careless in my actions toward others, especially those who don’t know you. Help me to reflect your grace, kindness, and forgiveness. May those around me encounter your love in the way I treat them. In your matchless name. Amen.