Ancient paths carved out by God are worth revisiting. They provide rest and retreat while reminding us what’s good and right—ways of the Lord. How beneficial for our lives and souls—those ancient paths!
Yet
there’s one we shun. It doesn’t draw us in like those which provide rest and restoration.
Its name? The Via Dolorosa.
“The
what?” you might ask.
Via Dolorosa—“Way
of Sorrow.” This is the traditionally-believed path Jesus took to the cross. To
His death.
“What
does that have to do with me?” you might ask.
Everything.
First of
all, Jesus’ death was necessary for us to be able to receive His gift of
salvation and promise of eternal life. But that very historic path symbolizes
something else to those who surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.
You see,
sorrows and all that go with them will come our way. They’re
unavoidable. What matters is your reaction to them. You might avoid some
and may succeed, but you won’t be able to flee all of them.
Most of
us, I believe, would choose to avoid paths of sorrow, grief, pain, persecution,
suffering. Yet there’s a deep truth for those who surrender and walk with
Jesus—even if it leads to the death. In surrendering to even this, one becomes
more Christ-like as he/she “travels the road to the cross” with Him.
When you
partake in Christ’s suffering, you risk it all for the sake of what is
eternally important, knowing full-well this path isn’t only rough but seems
impossible. But not impossible because you don’t walk it alone.
I’ll be
honest with you, though. If someone hung a sign overhead reading “Choose Your
Ancient Path” then broke those down into different lanes, I wouldn’t get
in line for the Way of Sorrows. I don’t want to hurt, grieve, be
persecuted, suffer!
But…
If I’ve
surrendered my life completely to Christ’s Lordship, how can I not
choose to follow Him? It just doesn’t make sense because incomplete surrender isn’t
really surrender at all. Not when conditions are attached.
Here’s
the thing: God is able to help us down the dreaded “Via Dolorosa”—that walk where
we’re dragging broken bodies and wounded hearts. Where we cannot see the end or
face another day. Where we’re being tormented either physically, emotionally, or
both.
To be
with Christ each step of the way—even unto death—holds hope. Promise.
How can
we know this?
Because
Jesus defeated death! He arose!
Resurrection! Hope!
From
our experience, walking with the Master on the way of sorrow, I can testify
that—no, we didn’t choose to be there. Yet what we experienced on that ancient
path taught us lessons we may not have ever learned otherwise. God knew we
needed to walk it with His Son. And completing the journey with Him? Oh, the Hope
we’re able to share with others who come along the way!
God
knows best. Despite how awful our circumstances might look and feel, the Savior
promises hope and a future! Planned before the foundations of the world, He already
knows the paths’ twists and turns, the ones we need to take, the
ones we will take.
So,
whether you find yourself shunning the Way or choosing to walk with Him on it,
know that God already knows the beginning from the end—just like He did when He
walked the Via Dolorosa. He didn’t want to die such a beyond-horrific
death, but he desired to follow His Father’s will, and He knew ahead of time
His death would lead to Resurrection.
All
this for the love of us who may or may not choose to walk with Him! All for
love of us no matter what but wanting us to join Him so no one need perish. For
walking with Jesus assures us of Hope, even if it means suffering beyond what
we think we can endure.
I still
find myself wanting sorrow’s way removed from me. But if it’s needful and best
with eternity in mind, I know God walks with me every step of the way. And His
Holy Spirit stays with me until I reach Eternity.
But what
about revisiting this difficult path—one that can even mean death? What benefit
is there in going back?
I’ve
wondered that as I’m writing, and here are thoughts that crossed my mind when I
think of revisiting our way of sorrows.
1) I’m
grateful to the Savior for walking with us and leading.
2) God,
in His infinite wisdom and knowing, did not err in allowing us to walk that
road.
3) The
choice of being bitter or getting better from the experience was mine. (For a
long time, I admit, I was bitter; but now I am better. It took me decades.)
4) What
I learned while traveling that way I can use to minister to others who are on
that path now and need help and encouragement.
5) In
facing death—real or what seems like that—I know for sure this is followed by
resurrection when traveling the way, fully committed to the Savior.
6) Revisiting
this ancient path helps me see God ever so clearly in and through it all.
All the Way My Savior Leads Me
All
the way my Savior leads me. What have I to ask beside?
Can
I doubt His tender mercy, Who thru’ life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly
peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell!
For
I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
All
the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives
me grace for ev’ry trial, feeds me with the living Bread.
Tho’
my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be,
Gushing
from the Rock before me, lo! A spring of joy I see.
All
the way my Savior leads me; Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect
rest to me is promised—In my Father’s house above.
When
my spirit, cloth’d immortal, wings its flight to realms of day
This
my song thru’ endless ages: Jesus led me all the way.
(written by Fanny Crosby, 1875, public
domain)
The previous and following songs
ministered to my heart. I hope they bless you who’ve committed your steps to
the Lord, are on the way of sorrow, or are now revisiting it. Remember: Hope
holds your hand from the first step to the very end of life’s journey.
Via Dolorosa by Billy Sprague
& Niles Borop, 1983
(sung here by Theresa Yow-Black)
Lead Me to Calvary by Jennie Evelyn
Hussey, 1921
(sung here by Evie Tornquist Karlsson)
I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked by Daniel Twohig,
1920s
(sung here by George Beverly Shea)
I Walked Today
Where Jesus Walked
#ancientpaths #ViaDolorosa #wayofsorrows
#suffering #grief #pain #death
#Jesuscrucifiction
#Resurrection #hope
Disclaimer—
I am not a counselor. What I shared in this blog post
comes from our own life experiences and what I’ve gleaned from them.
Photo Credit: Via Dolorosa—Pinterest; Jesus on the Via
Dolorosa—pixabay.com; Resurrection
scene—dreamsline.com
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