Friday’s readings begin with Jesus’ trials before the council, Pilate, and Herod. Judas takes his own life. “It would have been better for this man not to have lived.” Pilate washes his hands. It may help him avoid infection by the Corona Virus of his day, but it will not help him on that day when we all stand before the great white throne of God to give an account of the things done in the body, whether good or bad. Barabbas is freed. Pilate speaks to the crowd about Jesus and asks, “What shall I do with your king?” The crowd declares, “We have no king but Caesar.” Jesus is beaten and condemned to be crucified. The text says:

After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his
own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. They
compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry
his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.

Must Jesus bear the cross alone, 
And all the world go free? 
No, there’s a cross for everyone, 
And there’s a cross for me.

Jesus is crucified. In Four Gospels, Jesus speaks seven times from the cross. (Go to page 2 below).