Join us as we remember Christ’s journey to the cross-Via Dolorosa (The Way of Suffering). The Via Dolorosa (Latin for “Sorrowful Way”, often translated “Way of Suffering”; Hebrew: ויה דולורוזה; Arabic: طريق الآلام) It was the processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem, believed to be the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion.
Each day we will reflect on a different significant event as we travel with Christ on His way to the cross, ultimately leading to His resurrection.
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Via Dolorosa – Introduction / Sr. Pastor Jesse Curney, III
Monday, March 29 ——————————
The Triumphant Entry / Elder Joshua Scruggs
Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19 (Sunday)
On the first day of the week, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy in Zac. 9:9. The crowd welcomed him with the words of Ps 118:25-26, thus ascribing to him a Messianic title as the agent of the Lord, the coming King of Israel.
Tuesday. March 30 ——————————
The Last Supper / Elder Roshonda Boone
Matthew 26:17-29, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 22:7-20, John 13:1-38 (Thursday)
After a week of activities and other events, the scene shifts to the final night of Jesus’ earthly life, to the upper room. In the upper room, Jesus prepared both himself and his disciples for his death. He gave the Passover meal a new meaning. The loaf of bread and cup of wine represented his body soon to be sacrificed and his blood soon to be shed. And so he instituted the “Lord’s Supper.” After singing a hymn they went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony knowing what lay ahead for him.
Wednesday, March 31 ——————————
Garden of Gethsemane / Elder Devante Hudson
Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:40-46 (Thursday)
Now we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. After giving his disciples (except Peter and the two sons of Zebedee) the charge to sit here while he went over to pray.
He revealed to the three disciples that his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow, until death. After going a little farther from there, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will but as you will.
Returning to find his disciples asleep he admonished them for not being able to watch for 1 hour. Leaving again to pray, he asked Peter to watch and pray so that he would not fall into temptation.
Thursday, April 1 ——————————
Jesus’ Arrest and Trial / Elder Jason Johnson
Matthew 26:47-27:26, Mark 14:43-15:15, Luke 22:47-23:25, John 18:2-19:16 (Thursday Night & Friday)
In this scene we see Jesus returning a third time only to find the disciples sleep because their eyes were heavy, he left them to pray to his Father, again saying the same thing, “My Father, if it is possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done. Returning to his disciples he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer.
While he was still speaking, Judas arrived with a large crowd armed with clubs and swords. Judas had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going straight to Jesus, Judas said, Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Good Friday, April 2 ——————————
Crucifixion and Death / Elder Robert Pierce
Matthew 27:27-56, Mark 15:16-41, Luke 23:26-49, John 19:17-30 (Golgotha, Friday)
Following betrayal, arrest, desertion, false trials, denial, condemnation, beatings, and mockery, Jesus was required to carry his cross to The Place of the Skull, where he was crucified with two other prisoners.
Saturday, April 3 ——————————
The Burial / Elder Michelle Smith
Matthew 27:57-66, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-66, John 19:31-42 (Joseph’s Tomb, Friday)
As evening approached a rich man from Arimathea (Joseph) who had become a disciple of Jesus went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate ordered that Jesus’ body be given to Joseph. Taking the body and wrapping it in clean linen cloth Joseph placed it in a tomb he had cut out of rock, placed a large stone in front of the entrance to the tomb, and went away.
Sunday, April 4 ——————————
The Resurrection / Elder Ken Morris
Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-49, John 20 (Sunday)
Early in the morning, women went to the tomb and found that the stone closing the tomb’s entrance had been rolled back. An angel told them Jesus was alive and gave them a message. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden, to Peter, to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and later to all the disciples but Thomas.