The Via Dolorosa was no pristine, unblemished path that bypassed the cities or the faces in the crowds. It meandered tight spaces where the disturbance was a movement pushing aside the crowds. The abuses were hurled and people went on with their business. No one stepped aside. Jesus had to push through the marketplace crowds, stumble, and regain footing time and again.
It was the Jesus walk concentrated into a moment of destiny and redemption. As He always had, He saw every face in the crowd.
He did the same the other day as we re-walked the city, pushing our way through the press of people. Some went unnoticed by us, but none by Jesus – people of every walk, every nation, every ethnicity, culture, and religion – hurting people, people with personal pain and choices, families, issues, and a call to become all that God can see in each of us before we see it ourselves.
Simon of Cyrene. How would we know his name were he not deeply touched by the one whose cross he was compelled to carry a while?
What might Jesus have whispered through His own pain? What look of caring might He have given?
On the road to bear our burden, He was still receiving that burden, still collecting our blank, yet pensive stares.
He walks the cities today.
He walks in our feet.
My feet, are your feet, oh Lord. My hands are your hands. My hearty beats with your love. My eyes weep your tears. My laughter springs from yours. My joy is the joy of the Lord. My pain is that which you bear for me and for all.
I know nothing in this world, nothing really, but Christ and Him crucified. May your love be the lens and filter through which all my thoughts, goals, aspirations and choices pass.
Send me into the city streets to walk the Via Dolorosa today and find you walking that way of suffering and purpose there too with me, through me, in me, and for me and I with you. Amen.
And Beyond
It is the most likely location where Peter might have preached on the day of Pentecost when 3000 came to faith in Jesus and were baptized. There were enough pools there to accommodate that. The context had been set. The story had been told. The message had been embedded in the hearts of the hearers and the disciples were filled with the Spirit. Redemption had been purchased on the cross and victory accomplished through the resurrection. The Holy Spirit had descended. The church had been born and commissioned. All they needed was within their grasp (except a little persecution to kick them in the rear) to leave those steps and to go into all the world wherever they went to make more disciples. Looking from that point one could see a world in need. There is still a hurting world for which we have healing balm and a compelling call. Life can be more. The kingdom has come. Let us walk as kingdom people.
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