THE VIA DOLOROSA: a journey full of rejection, hatred, and torture.
Jesus arrived in Jerusalem from Bethany preparing to meet with His apostles for The Last Supper-communion. He consoles them and informs them of the foreordained plan.
He contines to the Garden of Gethsemane to kneel and pray. His agony was so great that his sweat was as it were great drops of blood.
After His arrest, he was brought to the Place of the High Priest and stood before Caiaphas and the Council. He was adjured to tell the truth, and He did;. however, He was falsely accused of blasphemy--there were no objections, no plea's, no attorneys--He was charged as "guilty" and sentenced to death.
He was escorted to Pontius Pilate's Judgment Hall labeled as a criminal; he was defamed and charged with treason. Pontius Pilate studied the facts and claimed Him to be innocent. Rage ensued, as Jesus was a Galilean, and by law, He was "claimed innocent" in the wrong jurisdiction. Pontius Pilate issued an Order for Change of Venue and sent Him to King Herod, who happened to be in Jerusalem at that time.
Herod questioned Christ, but our Lord remained silent. He was mocked and sent back to Pilate. Pilate affirmed that he thought Christ to be innocent. After much protest, Pilate yielded to the fear of man and temptation, and sentenced our Lord to death.
From the Judgment Hall, He was given His cross to bear en route to the Hill of Golgotha, the place of Calvary, to be crucified.
Nails were pounded into his flesh - a crown of thorns was forced to fit his skull - his thirst was quenched with vinegar. "Forgive them for they know what they do!"
IT IS FINISHED!
The sky turned dark at the sixth hour, and at the ninth hour he died. The veil in the temple was ripped in the midst, the earth began to quake, the rocks broke apart, and graves were opened. This moment gave birth to mourning and travail for transgressions.
On the third day, the stone was rolled away and the angels announced His resurrection!
CALVARY: a destination that gives us hope and eternal life. Raise the Praise! He's alive and well with Resurrection power!
BLESSINGS: "He is not here, but is risen...." Luke 22: 6
2 comments:
Now I've given to Jesus everything
now I gladly own Him as my King
now my soul can only sing At Calvary.
Mercy there was great and grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
AT Calvary!!
(Dad's favorite song)
Sunday's On The Way by Carman
The stone was rolled away and it bounced a time or two; An angel stepped inside said, "Yo, I'm Gabriel who are you?"; If you're wonderin' where the Lord is at this very hour; I tell ya He's alive and well with resurrection power!
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