The Journey to the Cross in ASLSample

The Women

Let be honest, Jesus’ journey to crucifixion is one of the most evoked events in the Bible. Anytime we read or watch this agonizing story in the Bible, many mixed feelings well up. It’s like arriving at a painful part of a movie climax. The first time we read or saw this part of the story, it was unpredictable for us. But for Jesus, it was prophesied long before He was born. 

He started with the Last Supper in the upper room where He had one last meal with His disciples, then to the garden where He prayed to God with His disciples (they fell asleep) that the cup would pass Him by. From there, He was taken from the garden to Pilate and then on to Calvary. He had people by His side - praying, weeping, following, mocking and cursing. 

The road to Calvary was long and filled with crowded people along. Jesus’ greatest moment of pain was visible for all to see. In this climax, Jesus should have been thinking about His own welfare and needs. Instead, He turned His attention to these women and showed concern and compassion for them. Jesus was more concerned for what lay ahead for them than what lay ahead for Him. He models loving his neighbor well. 

In this midst of all this, Jesus didn’t hide His worst moment from anyone. He didn’t reject anyone who followed Him to Calvary. He invited all of them, as He invites all of us, into His triumph as well as His trial. He showed us why He is El Roi, the God who sees.