Jesus of Nazareth | Crucifixion Via Dolorosa
Jesus of Nazareth
Regardless of religious beliefs, history shows a man named Jesus of Nazareth walked into Jerusalem at some point between 30-33 CE.
A fascinating life, Jesus entered Jerusalem on the heels of some miraculous, if not magical stories. He had healed a leper, gave sight to the blind, and most recently, before entering Jerusalem, he had risen a man from the dead four days after he had died.
Just imagine the buzz around Jerusalem of this man entering the city.
Supposedly, Jesus didn’t want the fame and attraction and was merely going about his way. This may be true, but the attraction he garnered regardless.
Upon entering Jerusalem, he sat around with some of his closest followers (apostles), and it is here (the Last Supper) he was betrayed, arrested, and taken away.
You can visit this spot of the Last Supper within David’s Tomb. This is only a short up walk up the hill from many of the other attractions Jerusalem’s old city offers.
The local elders and priests of Jerusalem questioned Jesus and wanted to know exactly what his plans were going forward. Did he really think he was King of the Jews? Was he actually the son of God? It is said that Jesus was mostly quiet throughout but answered yes to the questions asked of him.
They accused him of blasphemy and brought him to Pontius Pilot, the Roman governor of Judea.
It is up for debate on whether Pilot acted alone in having Jesus condemned and sent to his death. Or if he merely thought Jesus had done no wrong, and the crowd had urged him to kill Jesus by reminding him he was a threat to the Roman rule as he portrayed himself as a king.
Jesus of Nazareth would be sentenced to his death via crucifixion.
Via Dolorosa
Via Dolorosa is the path (according to many accounts) Jesus took as he carried his cross on his way to his Crucifixion. Along the path are marked stations of the events that occurred to Jesus as he walked that allows the visitor to follow along. Many Christian Pilgrims from around the world come to Dolorosa to follow this route from beginning to end.
These stations are marked by numbers attached to the walls of existing buildings; Some clearly marked and others more discreet. Since 30-33 CE, everything has been built up into what the Old City of Jerusalem is today. But, you still gain a sense of what it was like to walk the same path as a man, carrying his own cross, on the way to his death.
Station 1 & 2
After entering Lion’s Gate, Station 1 is marked as the spot where Pontius Pilate condemns Jesus to his death. Roman soldiers then taunt and whip Jesus and place a crown of thorns over his head.
The second station marks the spot where Jesus receives his cross to which he will be nailed to further on.
There are two churches, The Church of Condemnation and the Monastery of Flagellation that stand today as 19th-century churches to mark the events. There are specific times in which you can enter.
Station 3 & 4
Station 3 is marked as the site where Jesus fell or stumbled to the ground for the first time. A small chapel to the left of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, now stands upon the spot.
Station 4 is where Jesus is said to have seen his mother among the people in the crowd. The Church of St. Mary of Agony, an Armenian Catholic Church stands on this spot today.
Station 5 & 6
The fifth station is where Romans had ordered a man named Simon the Cyrene to help Jesus carry the cross. Although this is also disputed by saying Jesus carried the cross himself the entire way.
The sixth station is where Jesus encounters a woman named Veronica that wipes his face with a cloth. This spot is represented by a 12th-century church built by Greek-Roman Catholics.
Station 7 & 8
Station seven is where Jesus stumbled or fell for the second time. This location is also thought to be near the end of the city back then, and countryside was now in view.
Station eight is marked as the spot where Jesus told some women to not cry for him, but to cry for themselves and their children.
Station 9 & 10
Station nine is where Jesus fell for a third time. The Ethiopian Monastery now stands as the location in which this occurred.
Station ten is the final station of the walk and is the place of Jesus’ crucifixion. This spot is marked by the Church of they Holy Sepulchre. Please feel free to read my article based on the rich history of the church, here.
History-Today
History makes us who we are today. The effects that took place after the crucifixion of a man named Jesus from Nazareth changed our world. So much so that in the 9th century, dates were first noted as “before Christ” and “after Christ.” It became mainstream within the 14th century. I don’t think the Roman Empire would have ever dreamed of the man, Jesus of Nazareth, to live on as he has.