Via Dolorosa

By Shirley Mitchell

“As they led him away, they seized Simon the Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.”

Luke 23:26-27

The Roman guard lead the condemned through the city because the Romans displayed the prisoners to be executed as deterrents to others from committing crimes. So Jesus dragged a cross through the cobblestone streets of Jerusalem to the place of His execution. Via Dolorosa means the “way of suffering” and it is marked out in Jerusalem today. While the exact route has been in question through the centuries, the title of the walk still rings true. Suffering He did. Each step was a step of determination because Jesus knew He had to make it to the cross. There was more work to be done…More of the Father’s will to be accomplished before He died.

Only the Gospel of Luke includes the Jewish women wailing for Jesus along the streets. When Jesus saw their great mourning, He sought to comfort them. He prophesied that in 40 years, in 70 A.D., the Roman commander Titus would invade and destroy Jerusalem and their temple. Even while He was on the walk of death, He was still more concerned about His beloved people and His precious Jerusalem.

The soldiers screamed at Him. The strong arms of Jesus struggled under the weight of the tree as He dragged it through the streets. A guard lashed Him with a whip. He stumbled and cried out in pain. The crowd jeered and jabbed Him. They scorned and taunted Him. They belittled and spat at Him. They hurled insults at the Giver of blessings. They demeaned the One who brings meaning to life.

Were the disciples even hidden in the crowds? How could they stay away? Were they racing through the crowd to get a closer look as Jesus walked that painful road? Where was Thomas who was so convinced when Jesus returned to Martha and Mary’s home after Lazarus’ death that Jesus would be killed that he said to the others, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him’”(John 11:16)? Where was the faithful man who had asked Jesus a few hours before at the Passover, “Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5) Where was the man of fierce loyalty who loved Jesus and just wanted to be near Him no matter the danger? Where was James who told Jesus, “Yes, I can drink of the cup that you are going to drink” when his mother asked for her sons to sit on Jesus left and right (Matthew 20:20-28)? Where was Nathanael who declared in his first meeting with Jesus, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” (John 2:29)? The next 3½ years of ministry only confirmed what he knew about Jesus immediately. At a minimum, where was Simon the Zealot who had belonged to an outlaw political party that invoked fear among the people, were patriotic to Israel, and looking for the Messiah to overthrow the Romans? Zealots would assassinate Roman soldiers, political leaders, or anyone who got in their way. Where was the man who aligned himself with such passionate men of deep political convictions that they were willing to die instantly for the cause? Where were all of the disciples? Where were they? They were fulfilling prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 that the sheep would be scattered once the Shepherd was struck. They also fulfilled Jesus’ prophecies in John 6:39 and John 17:11-12 that they were protected by the power of God’s name and that Jesus would not lose one except the one doomed to destruction.

What about His mother Mary? Was she in shock? Did she keep thinking, “This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening.” Mary loved Him so much that she must have pushed her way through the twisted faces of the crowd. Tradition holds that they met on this road of sorrows. Did she who saw His first steps get to touch Him again as He walked His last steps? Simeon’s prophecy in the temple courts was coming true. A sword was piercing her soul (Luke 2:35). Although He was bloody and flesh was torn, I can’t imagine she turned away. Many people may not have been able to bear to look at Him. Others might have pressed in to see the gore. However, Mary looked with love. I think Mary could not tear her eyes from her Son.

When the big beam began to sway and Jesus’ knees buckled for the last time, the guards finally called to someone in the crowd for assistance. In the Passion Play this year, my place at the foot of the cross gave me the perfect view of Simon the Cyrene and Jesus as their eyes held each other for a moment. Simon gave Jesus the most poignant glance. His face said, “I would help you if I could. You don’t deserve this.” His face was right. Jesus didn’t deserve it, but He did it anyway. He was faithful to His mission, to us, and to His Father.

Pray with me: Oh, Jesus, I am in awe of what You endured for us. Your followers deserted You. They abandoned You. Yet, You took every step to Calvary for them and for me. Your courage and Your righteousness are like no other. It causes me to worship You. It’s in the Name above all names and the Name that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study