the road Jesus walked to the cross...
Via Dolorosa – the road Jesus walked to the cross…
Matthew 27:45-50
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “ This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “ Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
“On this Good Friday, I am moved, Lord Jesus that you stepped into my abyss of aloneness in death.  You experienced separation by choice, so I could experience unity by grace.  You were excluded so I could be included.  You so redeemed my life, that even death is not an enemy but a friend that ushers me into Your glory.  You hung in destitute darkness, so I could stand in Your light.  I grieve over my sin that drove You to the cross.  I rejoice over the love and grace that held You there.  Today be praised, O Lover of my soul.  Be magnified in your humiliation.  Let me love you once again and love you more fully, my Savior and my King.”