Jesus falls for the first time
In this station the physical exhaustion on the face of Jesus begins to show. At last a Roman soldier appears, helmeted but strangely non-violent as he supports the cross while Jesus rises. He is accompanied by the familiar bearded figure, the symbolic or actual Temple guard, armed with the vine-cane and ready to use it. Note the realism in fingers and garment as he plucks at Jesus – and again the two flowers, sculpted into the rock. Their significance may become clearer as we proceed.
