THE VIA DOLOROSA
419 Words
Then the long uphill walk started
as Jesus carried His heavy load,
A slow, painful walk, because the
crowds blocked the narrow road.
As I looked at the crowd, on each
face I saw a different expression,
You can imagine what goes on when
there’s this type of procession.
“He’s fallen!” someone cried, and the
crowd immediately stood still,
The soldiers then forced a man to carry
the cross to the top of the hill.
63
SIMON COMES TO TOWN
Simon came through the gates at the
north side of town
He preferred the country because
city life got him down.
His visit today was for two
important reasons
To connect with his sons and it
was the trading season.
As he entered the town he sensed
there was something wrong
He felt the presence of silence
that was awfully strong.
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The market place was empty he
didn’t hear a sound
All he heard was his cart wheels
turning on the ground.
Then he heard a noise coming from
the next road
So he moved in that direction with
his heavy load.
As he turned into that road he was
shocked at what he saw
A Man, trying to lift a cross that
had Him pinned to the floor.
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The noise was the taunting and
ribaldry of the angry crowd
Thus he didn’t hear the soldier
call him, the noise was too loud.
The wounded man brought the
procession to a stand still
So they forced Simon to carry the
heavy cross up the hill.
Carrying a condemned man’s cross
was considered a disgrace
So if you offered, you would most
certainly lose face.
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As Simon bent to help the wounded
Man their eyes met
And he knew that this encounter
he would never forget.
As their eyes met he could see Jesus’
compassion shinning out.
“This must be the Jesus who his
sons often spoke about.”
And so Simon willingly picked up
the heavy load
And carried it till they reached the
top of the road.
67
“Excuse me Sir, do you know this
Man from Galilee?”
“Yes He healed my sick body and
now I am free.”
Most of the others I questioned were
to afraid to talk about Him
I realized that my chances of learning
about Him here were slim.
On reaching the place of execution
there was silence all around,
As the soldiers pushed Him onto the
cross lying flat on the ground.
- Writer
