26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

 Just five days after enjoying a triumphal parade into Jerusalem, Jesus now endures a parade of suffering. His cheering admirers have become jeering attackers. No longer popular, the crowd changes, incited by the religious leaders to take Him and do away with Him.  Beaten beyond recognition, Jesus suffers the cruelest indignity yet by dragging His own cross through the city streets. When He collapses, a Roman soldier forces a Passover pilgrim named Simon to carry the cross the rest of the way.             

Instead of the sounds of music and praising and singing there are songs of jeering and weeping and wailing and cursing. It is an angry mob who got blood and wants more.  We see Jesus on the road to Golgotha not as a helpless victim overcome by events. He is no passive sacrifice in the grip of larger forces. He was born to suffer in our behalf, the Just for the unjust, the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” He was fully prepared to make this journey.           

We do not hear the music from bands and the songs of cheers from the children in this parade; we hear cries from the women. Not everyone agreed with what was going on, but this path is known as “Via Dolorosa” -the way of suffering.            

Our Lord then speaks as a prophet. He warns them of the hard days that lie ahead for the nation. He tells these weeping women that it would be better if they were childless (vs 29). Childbirth was regarded by Jewish families as a tremendous blessing and childlessness was seen as a disgrace, even a curse.  Jesus prophesies that it will be fortunate to be barren. The days of suffering will come on the city of Jerusalem and however much they themselves will have to endure, they at least would not have to watch the suffering of their children as well. In the days ahead Rome will show no mercy. The Roman Army, fed up with the rebellion of the Jews, was about to take out their frustration and vengeance on the people. Their cruelty would be extended to women and children.  We saw history play that out with the complete annihilation of the city of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
           

Jesus told them not to weep for Him but for themselves. He knew that resurrection awaited Him. He gave a final divine call to repentance. Jesus was fulfilling His destiny. The real issue moved beyond what Jesus would suffer to what His death would mean for those who reject Him. Jesus wanted their hearts to change.  Even on this parade of suffering, Jesus thought not of Himself, but of those who are lost and without hope.           

Jesus concluded His prophetic warning with a proverb (vs 31), “For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” If the Romans treat an innocent Man—one they know to be innocent—in such a manner, what will happen to those who are guilty? Dry wood burns more readily than green.

The enemies of Israel destroyed the city stone by stone. Jesus wept for the city and had pity on them, even as He was being led to His death. At the moment when Jesus would be most justified to think only of Himself, He thought of others.

Prayer:  Oh Lord, even in Your extreme suffering moments, You thought of us and the joy set before You to redeem those who will come to You for redemption.