While Jesus’ substitutionary suffering and crucifixion means that he took upon himself what
suffering and judgment was rightly due us; the gospel narratives of the crucifixion also
challenges the Christian to share Christ's suffering.
Via Dolorosa literally means “The Way of Sorrows”, marking the Stations of the Cross, the route
that Jesus supposedly took from Pontius Pilate’s palace where he was sentenced to death, to
the site of his crucifixion on the hill at Golgotha, beyond the city walls. Tourists & pilgrims have
traveled that road for centuries reflecting on Christ’s procession through the streets of
Jerusalem since the time of the Medieval Church. They want to experience Christ’s suffering
and pain by walking in the supposedly same steps on the same streets that Christ stumbled
through on his way to Golgotha and our salvation.
Walking through a tourist area of Jerusalem can be a reflective exercise on who might have
shared the same streets throughout history. But honest reflection of the soul and one’s response
to Christ’s suffering can only happen in meditation on Scripture through prayer.
A close & prayerful reflection on Matthew’s account of Jesus’ stumbling journey to his crucifixion
reveals fulfillment of prophecy and two responses to Jesus and his suffering. One can either:
1. Share Christ’s Suffering: Simon of Cyrene
2. Save Yourself from Christ’s Suffering: the Mob, the Sanhedrin, and two Robbers
[Insurrectionists]
Let’s dig into Matthew’s account of Jesus’ journey from the Praetorium to Golgotha. While
details on the steps taken by Jesus can be found in Luke’s and John’s gospels, Matthew wants
his readers to reflect on the different reactions of a Gentile against the religious people of God.