We walked the Via Dolorosa through Muslim Quarter to Bethesda. Shafik told us, "We will walk the way of the cross and feel the weight, and then the relief at the end." (And he warned that we may be attacked by Muslims about our ‘stupid Jesus’ with eggs or rotten fruit, but we went without incident.) There was a lot of police presence to keep peace (and breakfast helps, too!) Beth (house) Hesda (mercy) = means House of Grace and Mercy. Brian read Luke 5 about healing man at Pool of Bethesda on Sabbath. Bethesda is in the northern section of the city. St. Ann’s Church is here, built by Crusaders, and tradition holds this is where the Virgin Mary was born to Anna (mother of Mary) & Joachim. The acoustics perfectly echoed as we sang Alleluia. Ecce Homo (means Behold the Man) Convent – “Behold here is your man” – Pontius Pilate. Built by two Jewish brothers who converted to Christianity and realized it was on the Roman Fortress of Antonia. The Via Dolorosa, or Way of the Cross, which has stations marked on buildings or in churches. 1st station: Jesus is condemned to death. Lithostrotos (Greek) / Pavement stone remains at the entrance, upon which Jesus was tried by Pilate (John 19:13). We went in Armenian store called “The Palace” which has original wall of Antonia Fortress. The Temple was destroyed, but not the retaining wall. Earlier we saw the Royal Stoa, the ancient basilica constructed by Herod the Great during his renovation of the Temple Mount at the end of the 1st century BC, where the Pharisees and Sadducees sat. That’s where they asked Jesus, “Should we pay taxes to Caesar or God?” (Mark 12:13-17). They were not supposed to have coins with images on them in the temple area, so when Jesus asked, “What’s on the coin in your pocket?” they were already in trouble/embarrassed for having them. Now, we saw actual coin used for “give to Caesar what is Caesar, and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). 2. Jesus carries his cross 3. Jesus falls the first time 4. Jesus meets his mother 5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross. We took pictures of the 3rd, 4th & 5th stations. The 6th station is an old stone tablet set in the wall along the street, according to Catholic tradition, where Veronica wiped Jesus' face. Station 7. Jesus falls the second time. 8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem – “Don’t cry for me but for yourselves and your children” (Luke 23:28). 9. Jesus falls the third time. 10. Jesus is stripped of his garments. 11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross. 12. Jesus dies on the cross. 13. Jesus is taken down from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation) – body prepared. 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb. We went into the Church of Holy Sepulcher, which had last 5 stations of Cross.
Seven last statements of Christ on the Cross - and how we are the living seven:
1. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). Our Father forgives and our faith forgives. 2. "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:39-43). Jesus assures us, “I am going to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2) 3. "He said to his mother, 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother'" (John 19:26-27). We are His children and family, and we love our neighbor as ourselves 4. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:45-50). In Aramaic, lama sabachthani means “I am destined for this” 5. "I thirst" (John 19:28-29). We thirst – hunger and thirst for His righteousness 6. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:44-49). We surrender and commit ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) 7. "It is finished" (John 19:28-30). It is finished – done and complete. Our salvation is secured.
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AuthorThis blog is mainly written by me (Laura Walkendorf,) and also by my parents. Archives
April 2017
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