Via Crucis :: Immersion

Ninth Station:  Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem (Luke 23: 27-31)

Skull Hill

 ^27-31 A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. The time is coming when they'll say, 'Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!' Then they'll start calling to the mountains, 'Fall down on us!' calling to the hills, 'Cover us up!' If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they'll do with deadwood?"

What difficult words Jesus spoke to the women who wailed and wept and moaned. What do they mean, these words that feel so harsh? Were they prophetic words? According to one commentary, Jesus is allowed to pause to speak to the women and he gives a warning to the total destruction of the Temple under the Roman Occupation. Isn't it odd that as Jesus is being marched off to death, surrounded by Roman soldiers so that none of his disciples who follow could attempt rescue, that He pauses to give warning to those near him? He thinks of others above himself even yet.


Father God, may I think of others before self even up to my dying day. May I always offer words of comfort to all people in my life. May I encourage and uplift, give warning and advice until I am no longer to speak.