Good
Friday in Jerusalem
So
they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called
the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Gol'gotha. There they crucified
him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth,
the King of the Jews."
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John 19:17-19 |
The Via Dolorosa
The "Via Dolorosa" or "Path of Sorrow" commemorates Jesus bearing his cross
from the Praetorium where he was scourged, crowned with thorns, and condemned,
through the streets of Jerusalem to the site of his crucifixion on Golgatha
and burial nearby. The present route [see photos on right], wich has 14
chapels and stations, was mapped out by the Crusaders in the middle ages.
On Good Friday, and each Friday throughout the year, the Franciscans lead
a procession of pilgrims in prayer and reflection to the 14 stations. The
"Via Dolorosa" ends in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,
the place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose. |
The Cross of Jesus Christ
The Crucifixion, etching
by Rembrandt
A Meditation on the
Crucifixion
The
cross brings us face to face with Jesus' suffering. He was alone -- all
his disciples had deserted him except for his mother and three women along
with John, the beloved disciple. And his death was agonizing and humiliating.
Normally a crucified man could last for several days on a cross.
Jesus' had already been scourged, beaten with rods, and a crown of thorns
pressed into his skull. It is no wonder that he died mid-afternoon.
Jesus was crucified for his claim to be King. The Jews had understood that
the Messiah would come as king to establish God's reign for them.
They wanted a king who would free them from tyranny and foreign domination.
Many had high hopes that Jesus would be the Messianic king. Little did
they understand what kind of kingship Jesus claimed to have. Jesus
came to conquer hearts and souls for an imperishable kingdom, rather than
to conquer perishable lands and entitlements. We can find no greater proof
of God's love for us than the willing sacrifice of his Son on the cross.
Jesus' parting words, “It is finished!" express triumph rather than
defeat. Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit knowing that the strife
was now over and the battle was won. Even on the cross Jesus knew the joy
of victory.
What the Father sent him into the world to do has now been accomplished.
Christ offered himself without blemish to God and he put away sin by the
sacrifice of himself. Christ offered himself without blemish to God
and he put away sin by the sacrifice of himself (see Hebrews
9:24-26).
meditation by Don
Schwager, (c) 2001
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Pilgrims gather for prayer in
the Holy Sepulchre
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