The Via Dolorosa, to the best of my memory is a narrow street protected by walls of buildings on both sides. In our spiritual journey towards our final destination, our way of the cross must also have walls of protection. These walls are faith and love. Behind us is the old temple, soon to be destroyed for lack of faith that is, this world which is passing away. (Lk.19:44) Before us is the heavenly Jerusalem, but before we can join the myriad of angels around the throne, we must first take the Via Dolorosa to our crucification; total death to things of the flesh.
Its so easy to see this journey as a battle of fighting against flesh and doing battle with worldly desires. Run so as to win. Run, fight, win, get glory! But its not really so much the struggle; it is not so much fighting to win and trying to overtake Christ! The real secret of glory is surrender! Allowing the Lord to overtake us.
What am I trying to gain in life? Is it not the fruits that will last: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control? Am I fighting for love; struggling for peace; striving for joy; enduring trials for the sake of patience; being radical for self-control; fighting for the sake of gentleness and kindness; grasping after goodness; and clinging to faith for the sake of being faithful? By their fruits you shall know them. (Mt. 7:20) We will know if we have gotten very far on this journey by examining the fruit of the Spirit in our life. How mature is the fruit? During one of my retreats, I saw how the fruit of the Spirit was demonstrated in our Lord during His passion.
What great self-control the Lord had as He was being falsely accused before Pilate. (Mt.27:11) Jesus did not defend Himself, rather He chose to remain silent as a lamb led to slaughter. (Is. 53:7) How is the fruit of self-control growing in our lives? Is not the tongue the hardest thing to control? How many times do we wish we could take back those little damaging words that slip out of our mouths? Jesus held His tongue when He had every right to defend Himself.
Jesus exemplified the fruit of gentleness as He was being beaten and mocked by the soldiers. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard, my face I did not shield from buffet and spitting... Because He surrendered Himself to death... He shall take away the sins of many. (Is. 50:6, 53:12b) How easy it is to seek revenge when we are hurt or crossed. Jesus remained gentle while cruel Roman soldiers were tearing the flesh from His back. He is so gentle with us. When we turn from Him, He gently calls us back. When we hurt Him by hurting others or not giving Him the honor He deserves, He gently waits for us to repent and then forgives us. Gently He calls us to follow Him once again. ... They must be forbearing and display perfect curtesy toward all men. (Ti. 3:2b)
Jesus carried His cross with such patience! Yet it was our infirmities that He bore, our sufferings that He endured... We had gone away like sheep, each following our own way, but the Lord laid on Him the guilt of us all. (Is.53:4,6) How patient are we at enduring crosses? Crosses made so much lighter because the Lord took on the brunt of our guilt. He is so patient with us when we fuss and complain about our little crosses. Hebrews 12 tells us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Consider how He endured such oppression from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
I see the fruit of kindness in Jesus as He greeted the women who were mourning and weeping at the sight of this precious Lamb, beaten and dragging a cross. Jesus did not bask in the sympathy nor did He throw a pity party. Jesus turned to them and said; Daughters do not weep for me, instead weep for yourselves and your children. (Lk. 23.28) In the midst of His final trial on His way to execution, He showed concern for the women and children whom He knew would someday suffer greatly at the hands of the Romans. Ephesians 4:7 calls us to bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness and patience.
I see Jesus generosity; His goodness poured out when He was hanging on the cross. Woman, behold your son! Then He said to His disciple, Behold your mother. (Jn. 19:26-27) In three years Jesus had poured Himself out for others; healing, feeding, teaching, and forgiving. Through the passion He poured out His precious blood. Now on the cross, physically spent, He gave us His mother. In Jn. 13:14-15, after He had washed the feet of His disciples He said, If I then, Lord and Master have washed your feet, should you not wash each others feet? Are we always so willing to serve others; to do the lowly tasks; to give without counting the cost?
Love: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you... Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends. (Jn. 15:12-13) Jesus crucifixion was the greatest act of love. Out of love He took the punishment that we deserved. His last words were, Father forgive them, they know not what they do! (Lk. 23:34) Do we have enough love to forgive our enemies?
It is finished! (Jn. 19:30) Have you ever thought about this being a cry of joy in the midst of suffering? I can almost hear Jesus saying, Yes! I have accomplished my Fathers will. Alleluia! My beloved brothers and sisters are redeemed! They belong to my Father now! Therefore, Father, My heart is glad and my soul rejoices. (Ps. 16:9) Father, soon Ill be coming home and in Thy presence there is fullness of joy. (Ps. 16:11)
We can also rejoice with Jesus, for we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. ... In this you rejoice, although now for a while you may have to suffer through the distress of many trials. But this is so that your faith, which is more precious than fire-tried gold... may lead to praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ appears... and rejoice with inexpressible joy touched with glory, because you are achieving faiths goal, our salvation. (see 1 Pt. 1:3-9)
And what peace must have flowed through Jesus when He cried, Father into your hands I commend my spirit. (Lk. 23:46) Do we have that true peace knowing that we are in the Fathers hands? The Father tells us: I am He who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies. (Is. 51:12) He tells us, You are my people. (Is. 51:16) If we are the Lords and our final destiny is with Him, what do we really have to fear? What are we anxious about? Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor let them be afraid. (Jn. 14:27)
Jesus was faithful to His Fathers plan from the beginning. Even when He wished there was a way out, as in the agony in the garden. Father let this cup pass... but not my will but Thy will be done. And He remains faithful forever interceding for us before the throne of God.
Lord help us to remain faithful to you. We know that any faithfulness we have comes for your faithfulness toward us. As a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides on the vine... neither can we bear the Fruit of the Spirit unless we abide in you, Lord. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (see Jn. 2:28; 15:4-8) V
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