The Via Dolorosa

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The Via Dolorosa, or "The Way of Suffering," in Jerusalem is the traditional route that Jesus was taken as He carried His cross to Calvary.  If you go there today, you can walk this same path and visit fourteen stations along the way, where traditions say different events are said to have taken place such as, where Jesus was beaten by the Roman soldiers or where He stumbled and Simon of Cyrene was called upon to carry His cross.  The road is narrow and cobblestone, much as it would have been over 2000 years ago.  The very last station is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is traditionally the site of the crucifixion.  Perhaps one day, I will get to walk that road in person -- what an experience that would be!
As Easter draws closer and I begin to revisit the events of Christ's crucifixion and glorious resurrection, one song that my father sung around this time of year always comes to my mind.  It is a Sandi Patty song (Love me some Sandi Patty -- dating myself here!). You can listen to it here if you are interested: Via Dolorosa 
Down the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day
The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street
But the crowd pressed in to see
The man condemned to die on Calvary
He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back
And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head
And He bore with every step
The scorn of those who cried out for His death
Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King
But He chose to walk that road out of
His love for you and me
Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary
The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men
Made its way to the heart of Jerusalem
Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King
But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me
Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Borop Niles A Iii / Sprague Jr William (billy)
Via Dolorosa lyrics © Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publ., Meadowgreen Music Co., Word Music, Llc

One thing that stands out to me is that during this time, all eyes were on Jesus as He walked that road.  As we look back at that time, we look at Jesus.  He was the perfect lamb prophesied from the beginning and He was led to the slaughter to redeem His own -- us!  Hebrews 12:2 says, "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (ESV)  The Via Dolorosa led to the culmination of that shame that Jesus endured, the cross. Hebrews tells us He did this joyfully! Easter helps us to keep the suffering and the shame that Christ endured before us, lest we forget.  At the same time, we remember that this was not the end of the story!  Christ defeated death, and He is now at the right hand of the throne of God.  As we walk this life of trials, sufferings and uncertainties, we do this as children of God, whose leader and example is Jesus.  Keeping our eyes on Jesus,  who suffered as we do, we can not just endure, but grow more Christlike with each trial.  Because He conquered sin and death, we have that same victory!  
My prayer this week is that we keep our eyes on Jesus.  Watch the Perfect Lamb.  As we keep our eyes on Him, we set aside all other earthly concerns and our focus is on walking with our Lord.  Whether reading or listening, find out more about Him in His Word.  Read and learn how He suffered.  Read and learn how He conquered sin and death, once and for all.  Read and learn how He is intereceding for us every moment at the throne.  Another chorus comes to mind:  "Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grown strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace."  (Helen H. Lemmel)

Heather Sparks




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