Today we walk the Via Dolorosa with Jesus, discovering that every step toward Calvary was not just a march to death, but a masterclass in surrender, endurance, and love for us to apply daily.
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Featured Scripture and Commentary
Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When we think about the rugged old cross and the journey of Jesus to die on it so that we might have access to the Father (and I hope it is at least daily because it means everything to us) we can quote every word Jesus said on the cross and we have an idea of what that means to us and our daily lives. But have you considered what Jesus was doing with every step in between the prayer in the garden (intense blood-soaked prayer followed by “Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done”. Even the Son of God had to step back and let God lead the way in that moment so who are we to not do so is the lesson there as you are well aware. And the cross. We know what was being done to Him – slaughter, torture, ridicule and more. But what was He doing? OK. I won’t torture you anymore…He was teaching. It was journey where Jesus was the center attraction and remains so until this very day and with every step, every labored breath, every stumble, every lashing, He was teaching with great intention. Let’s take a look at this.
1. Endurance of shame at the mock trial where He was “convicted” and “found guilty”. What would we do? Plead? Defend? Seek recourse? Beg for a second chance? Confess to whatever the charges might be? Maybe not – the martyrs have endured torture throughout the ages until their deaths rather than be unfaithful to the Lord. But maybe so. Here is the lesson – Your identity is not in what people say about you or do to you out of hate but in whomsoever the Lord says that you are. Jesus said in the world we will have trouble but that He had overcome the world. If we don’t take him up on the invitation in the declaration then, as regards us, Jesus died for nothing. Our Father will vindicate you and you will be rewarded.
2. Bear the weight – the cross He carried was heavy. I have seen 150 lbs, Rev Dr Pastor Jimmy says He has read that it was probably more like 300 lbs. Either way it was more weight than we can drag on our best day let alone with a crown of thorns on our heads and stripes on our backs. He stumbled under the weight but he kept on. The lesson – it is okay to fall. We are not called upon to be perfect. The Triune God knows that we are fallen creatures seeking to be righteous. And as fallen creatures sometimes we fall. It is ok to fall. Just do the righteous thing next… get back up again, carry your cross and get back following Jesus.
This is not intended to be a complete list. What other lessons did Jesus teach us as he walked what has been named the Via Dolorosa? How to surrender in grace? That it is ok for us to let our brothers and sisters help us carry our load as Simon from Africa did with Jesus? How to endure intense trials? Most of everything that the spoke about in the Beatitudes by example? All this and more. And what does it mean for our daily lives? We get to experience (yes “get to” as in it is a privilege, as in forgiveness opportunities, as in perseverance growing stronger through adversity, etc) mini-calvaries every day – with the difficult co-worker, the rambunctious children, the health scare, the financial worry – so many things as we seek to deny outselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus. It is on us to ask the Lord as we go through these things what it is that He is trying to teach us. Just keep in mind He didn’t just die for us, for our salvation from sin, the restoration of our relationship with the Father (unavailable on a direct level since the fall in the Garden), He taught us… how to walk.
CORROBORATING SCRIPTURE
Luke 9:23, Philippians 2:5–8, Isaiah 53:4–5, Matthew 16:24, 1 Peter 2:21–24, John 19:30, Romans 6:4, Galatians 6:14
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Philippians 2:5–8 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Isaiah 53:4–5 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering… But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
1 Peter 2:21–24 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
PRAYER FOR WHOMSOEVERS
Lord I am reminded what I should never forget. On your walk to die for our salvation you were teaching us with every step. Crucifixion as you experienced it on our behalf is outlawed in most countries today. Seems our civilization gets more barbaric in some ways and less in other ways. However we daily live small calvaries, Please give us strength as you exhibited in carrying the cross, resilience as you demonstrated when you got back up after falling, focus so we can remember what is important – our relationship with you at all times even the most dire. And that we play out the drama in our daily ordeals with meaning when we deny ourselves and remember You are with us through all of it and that is what is important. Thank you Lord. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
