The Way of Suffering

Via Dolorosa

'He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain' Isaiah 53:3

There is a street in Jerusalem upon which I have walked about seven times in my life. It is an alley way lined by small shops on both sides where the Arab merchants sell their merchandise of copper and silver ware, decorated pottery, carpets and souvenirs. Meandering upwards of, a now imperceptible, low hill, this street led to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher – Calvary. Someone else walked that street, nearly 2000 years ago. 

It was not an easy or pleasant 'sight-seeing' walk. This street, then, was the last walk for a prisoner condemned to die and on his way to the gallows. Jesus, having endured torture, carried the cross and trudged up this hill, with difficult, painful and stumbling steps. On both sides of his path, the multitudes, many of whom were pilgrims celebrating the Jewish passover, scorned, mocked and derided him. 

The street is called the Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering. Pilgrims can walk the 14 stations of the cross beginning from the flogging of Christ into the streets to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Down the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day

The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street

But the crowd pressed in to see

The man condemned to die on Calvary

He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back

And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head

And He bore with every step

The scorn of those who cried out for His death

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King

But He chose to walk that road out of

His love for you and me

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary

The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men

Made its way to the heart of Jerusalem

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King

But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary

On Sunday 4 Sep 2022, several members from Charis Methodist Church journeyed to Oberammergau to watch the Passion Play. About 400 years ago, the residents of this small Bavarian village prayed for God to spare them further losses from the Black Death. With prayer, the town witnessed the last of the plague's victims. They vowed to perform a play of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ every 10 years since.

Legend has it that ever since 1634, when the villagers of Oberammergau first performed their passion play, no more epidemic hit the village. However they could not escape Covid-19. Like so many places on earth, Oberammergau experienced several deaths forcing the village to postpone the event until 2022. 

We were able to relive the experience and sense of the suffering of Jesus Christ in His last few hours on earth. Then we celebrated the resurrection of Christ along with many others. 

Charis Methodist Church at Oberammergau

This experience of Jesus, tortured, scorned and derided, is a hallmark in the history of Christianity. Christianity began in pain. For several centuries afterwards, the early Christians, endured the same risk Jesus endured whenever they professed their faith. 

With the passing of time, Christianity became an internationally accepted faith; persecution stopped and Christians began to enjoy the bountiful blessings of God. Christians now enjoy acceptance, security, peace and well being. 

We become surprised and disoriented when we face a different experience. But pain and suffering can become a cross that some Christians will experience. When this happens it is easy to blame God. We live with the presumption this could not happen to us. 

How can a good God, who bestows goodness, allow this to happen? Woody Allen was purported to have said, “How do you expect me to believe in God, when only last week I got my tongue caught in the roller of my electric type-writer?” We do not have to respond with Woody-Allenian smugness. There are many fine examples of people who have endured suffering and come out more mature; their responses more elegant and erudite. The Via Dolorosa is a poignant reminder, etched upon the pages of history, of the suffering of Jesus Christ and that pain can and will happen to Christians.

Thomas Dorsey's "Precious Lord" presents itself to us a song of hope and faith. People around the world know it, sing it, and love it because of its profound message. 

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Few know the song was inspired by a horrific tragedy in the life of its composer. In August of 1932, Dorsey was scheduled to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting in St. Louis. At the time his wife, Nettie was pregnant with their first child. He kissed her goodbye and made his way to St. Louis for the revival meeting. The next night, as soon as he finished playing, he received a telegram and pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: 'Your wife just died.' Nettie had given birth to a boy but later the baby died. In the midst of despair, a friend visited Dorsey and arranged for him to be left alone in a music room with a piano. For the first time in many days, he sat at a piano using his fingers to browse the keys. Soon, the young artist experienced a personal revival, "I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, one I'd never heard or played before, and words for "Precious Lord" came into my head—they just seemed to fall into place." 

'Weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning.' Psalms 30:5 

Lionel 

Updated 1st Published 22 Feb 2008

A New Creation

 'And I will give you a new heart, and I will put  a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn  heart and give you a tender responsive heart.' Ezekiel 26:26 (NLT)

Saint Paul wrote when we received Christ as our saviour, we received new life!  

'This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!' 2 Cor 5:17 (NLT)

The King James Version of the bible renders this as 'a new creation.' 

St Paul went further in Romans 12 to state that we could offer our bodies as a living sacrifice and in exchange be transformed by the renewing of our minds,

'Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.' Romans 12:1-2a

In a sermon at Charis Methodist Church on the 18 April 2021, Bishop Solomon described this new life as a redemptive relationship with the triune God, a living relationship. He went on to expound on 3 truths of that relationship.

• A New Position - We develop a redemptive relationship with the Triune God. Romans 8:38-39 'For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

• A New Power - We are more than conquerors. Romans 8:37: 'No in all these things we are more than conquerors.' 

• A New Promise - We are co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:16-17: 'The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.'    

Billy Graham mentioned seven gifts associated with this new life in Christ (Ref 1)

• A New Relationship. Once we were alienated from God because of our sins but now we are God's children, reborn into the family of God.

• A New Citizenship. Now we possess dual citizenship. We owe allegiance to our country but we are also citizens of the kingdom of God.

• A  New Family. We are now related to other believers, our spiritual brothers and sisters. We are never alone; we are a part of God's family, a family that loves us and will help us.

• A New Purpose. We used to live for ourselves but when we come to Christ, God gives us a new purpose. Now we want to life for Christ, not just for ourselves

• A New Power. God Himself comes to live within us by His Holy Spirit. We are not meant to live the Christian life all by ourselves. The Holy Spirit empowers us.

• A New Destiny. Once we were headed for hell; now we are headed for heaven. Once we were bound for eternal separation from God; now we live with Him forever.

• A New Journey. We are on to a whole new path, it is a whole new beginning; the beginning of a whole new life.

It is a Life of Service. The Bible speaks of this service as walking humbly with God. 

'What does not Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.' Micah 6:8

St Paul exhorted in Romans

'Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.' Romans 12:11-12

It is a Life in the Spirit. We are controlled by the Spirit of God no longer driven by our sinful nature 

'But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you.' Romans 8:9a

'Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.' Romans 8:5

C. S Lewis in 'Mere Christianity' wrote that man's pursuit of happiness without God is futile, "And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy."

To put it simply, Christian living is God's way of living; a life of true happiness and contentment. No wonder that we should ask God, to Create In Me A Clean Heart

Create in me a clean heart, O God

And renew a right spirit within me

Create in me a clean heart, O God

And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me

Restore unto me, the joy of Thy salvation

And renew a right spirit within me

Lionel

Ref 1: Billy Graham, The Journey, Thomas Nelson, 2006

There's Got To Be A Morning After

'Weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning' Psalms 30:5

Hope. Someone in church, whom we were praying for, taught me about hope. She was going through chemotherapy and she wrote, “But I will hang on to God no matter what. He promised to take away all my sins and sicknesses. He has a purpose to give me this new hope at this worst moment of my life. This is my first GOOD NEWS, my first HOPE and my confirmation that GOD has not given up on me yet.” 

The phrase, God has not given up on me yet, reminded me of the lamentations of Prophet Jeremiah. He was devastated when the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem in 586 BC. He saw the horrors and ravages of war inflicted upon his people. They were left with no food, no rest and no peace. In the depths of despair Jeremiah found hope in the faithfulness of God. He recalled his previous experiences and he wrote, 

'I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.' Lamentation 3:19-24. 

Kent Nerburn (Ref 1) talked of his experience with a total stranger one night, “He stared back at me with the saddest eyes I had ever seen. Tears rolled down his cheeks. I do not believe that I have ever seen, before or since, such a tortured look upon the face of another human being.” This stranger in the night was a respected judge who that morning had run his car into a young girl who stepped unexpectedly on to the road. He had killed her instantly. Since then he had been walking the streets aimlessly and drunk. 

Kent had tried to console the man but was told, “Don’t talk. I don’t need words. I just need to be near somebody.” Kent wrote, “I stayed with him on that street long into the night. He did not wish to go anywhere. He did not wish to talk. Occasionally he would take my hand; occasionally he would be overcome with deep and heaving sobs. But whenever I tried to leave or allow him the privacy of his own grief, he would grab my hand to make me stay.”

St Francis prayed that where there is despair let him bring hope. Despair hits the human spirit; a darkness that snuffs out the dim light of every possibility. No logic, no consolation, no word can heal. As Nerburn had experienced, all the despairing spirit needs is our presence and the quiet witness of our redeemed souls. When we keep vigil with a person trapped in that darkness, we are denying that spirit from plunging into the emptiness. We provide good, silent Christian witness, a light that defy the overwhelming darkness until the morning comes.

This vigil is aptly described in a song, 'There’s got to be a morning after,' which is the signature song of a disaster movie, the Poseidon Adventure. 

There's got to be a morning after

If we can hold on through the night

We have a chance to find the sunshine

Let's keep on looking for the light.

Oh can't you see the morning after?

It's waiting right outside the storm

Why don't we cross the bridge together

And find a place that's safe and warm.

It's not too late, we should be giving

Only with love can we climb

It's not too late, not while we're living

Let's put our hands out in time

There's got to be a morning after

We're moving closer to the shore

I know we'll be there by tomorrow

And we'll escape the darkness

We won't be searching anymore

This is a song of hope and hope is found in the Bible. My church friend derived her optimism from the hope found in reading her Bible. Similarly if we are ever downcast, seek refuge in God. He has plans for us

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13.

He's only a prayer away

I asked the Lord to comfort me

When things weren’t going my way;

He said to me “I will comfort you

And lift your cares away.”

I asked the Lord to walk with me,

When darkness was all that I knew;

He said to me, “Never be afraid,

for I will see you through.”

I did not ask for riches,

He gave me wealth untold-

The moon, the stars, the sun, the sky,

And He gave me eyes to behold

I thank the Lord for everything,

And I count my blessing each day;

He came to me when I needed Him-

I only had to pray:

He'll come to you if you'll ask Him to -

He's only a prayer away

I asked the Lord to lead the way

When each step was getting so rough

He said to me, "Put your trust in me

And I'll direct your path."

I asked the Lord to come inside 

And take all my struggles away

He said to me, "Cast your cares on me

And live each day by day."

Lionel

Updated article, 1st published Mar 2008

Ref 1: Kent Nerburn, Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace - Living in the Spirit of the Prayer of Saint Francis. Chap 5 Where there is despair hope. HarperOne 1st Edition 1999.

Steadfast, Immovable.

 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?' Matthew 11:7

Reeds in the wind. Jesus was introducing the crowd to John the Baptist and He was contrasting the tenacity of John the Baptist against the shifting beliefs of the many in the crowds that followed Him. With rhetorical questions, Jesus introduced John, the ramrod straight man in the wilderness as the forerunner of the coming of Christ.

'As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about  John: "What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist.' Matthew 11:7-9 and 11a 

Spineless Christianity? Like reeds swaying in the wind? Saint Paul described such Christianity as being tossed about by the waves instead He prayed for maturity and service for all Christians,

'To equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by waves, and blown here are there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.' Ephesians 4:12-14

In 1968, about 60 youths from the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) of the Geylang Methodist English Service, now Charis Methodist Church committed to these verses from Ephesians 4 as their statement of faith and ministry. Today, nearly 54 years later, only about 50% remained in the faith, the rest have been tossed about by every wind and wave and have fallen by the wayside. What kept the remaining 30 persons in their Christian Faith? It is their tenacity, resilience and steadfastness. Some may say it is 'a stick to it ability.'

'So my dear brothers and sisters be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.' 1 Corinthians 15:58

Among other attributes, these faithful Christians maintained a consistent service for the Lord and the Church. 

SIM (Serving in Missions) East Asia in its 2/3 2022 publication SIM NOW entitled Serving Steadfastly, shared several testimonies of missionaries.

• Steadfast Amidst Uncertainty by Luke and Jill in Southern Asia, "So how can we be steadfast when life is so uncertain? We are learning to faithfully do God's work and accept whatever comes our way. We continue to move forward in faith, no matter what happens, even if our new normal looks quite different from what we thought it would."

• Steadfast In Intimacy With Him by Dr Judy Ho in Nigeria, "By stepping out in obedience and by fixing my eyes upon Him, God has showered me with blessings way beyond my imagination. He has graciously let me know Him more intimately. He enables me to understand and accept my limitation more. Certainly, His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is perfected in my weaknesses.

• Steadfast Amidst Challenges by Ghie Sibayan in the Philippines, "Living through the different challenges of life and ministry has not been easy for me. the Lord has been enabling me to serve steadfastly by being willing to adjust, stay in community and recognise God's presence." 

• Steadfast In Being Sensitive by Tijin and Merin in Ghana, "What God requires from us is to remain committed to His work and to be sensitive to His leading in His Mission."

These testimonies are very inspiring. And they show that these missionaries are resolute and strong. Just as Joshua was to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, he was given a rallying call.

'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' Joshua 1:9

The Joshua call must have also kept many a Christian steadfast and sure though all the challenges of life. We are not like reeds in wind; Be Strong and Take Courage 

Be strong and take courage

Do not fear or be dismayed

For the Lord will go before you

And His light will show the way

Be strong and take courage

Do not fear or be dismayed

For the one who lives within you

Will be strong in you today

Why don't you give him all of your fears

Why don't you let him wipe all of your tears

He knows, He's been through pain before

And He knows all that you've been looking for

Nothing can take you out of his hand

Nothing can face you can't command

I know that you will always be

In His love, in His power you will be free!

Lionel

Seeing Through The Mist

Seeing Through The Mist, Snowy Mountains Australia

'Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see as if face to face. Now I know of life, in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known by God.'  1 Corinthian 13:12 

The morning was enveloped with a thick mist as I walked alone on a lonely country road in the Snowy Mountains region in Jindabyne, Australia. The fresh air laden with dew was cold on my face but I did not mind; walking alone that morning brought serenity and solace. These lonely moments are hard to find.

The road before me was obscured by fog but it was sufficiently visible to ascertain the direction of my path. I realised that the ability to see through the mist, even with some degree of uncertainty, is exactly how I have obtained guidance from God throughout life. My limited vision and mind cannot completely comprehend God nor let me view life with definite clarity.

Fogginess can be a natural aspect of life. When we try to perceive life, we must be prepared to peer through the mist and accept some mystery. Calvin Miller (Ref 1) said "Mystical is that wonderful word we apply to things that have ultimate meaning but elude our understanding." He advocated that Christians need not always perceive life cognitively. We should lose the desire to always want to be in control. This is what I have also learnt especially since that I started meditation from April 2021.

With solitary walks or with meditation, we learn to drop false pragmatism and embrace the practical reality that the Holy Spirit like the wind brings some uncertainty. We can sense its presence but will be uncertain where it comes from and whither it will go.

But we are not left alone groping. That morning when I walked through the mist I was not alone. I prayed and sang as though God walked with me and indeed He did. Although, we see through tinted glasses of our own inadequacies and sinfulness, there is comfort in the Christian understanding and experience that God is close at hand.

There is silence but the walk is not solitary. Two songs accompanied me.

• Walk With Me in which I felt the Presence of God 
• I'm Not Alone in which I sensed the Leading of God. 

Walk with me through the long and lonely night

Walk with me and my world is filled with light

Here I stand feeling lost and so alone

Take my hand don't desert me now

Please don't hurt me now

If you walk with me though I know the road is long

I'll get by with your love to make me strong

More by far than a guiding star above

I long for you

Walk with me oh my love

Somewhere the sunbirds fly

In a clear blue sky

Only you and I there together

Love me now and for ever

Walk with me through the long and lonely night

Walk with me and my world is filled with light

Here I stand feeling lost and so alone

Take my hand don't desert me now

Please don't hurt me now

If you walk with me though I know the road is long

I'll get by with your love to make me strong

More by far than a guiding star above

I long for you

Walk with me oh my love

I long for you

Walk with me oh my love

I'm not alone while walking o'er life's journey.

I have a friend who walks along with me.

I'm not alone although I'm often lonely.

My saviour God is by me constantly.

So when the storms of life assail me

and earthly friendships fail me,

I'll sing and smile o'er every mile

till I reach my heavenly home.

St Paul wrote in 1 Cor 13:12, 

Now we see but a poor reflection of life and it's journey as in a mirror; then we shall see distinctly as if face to face. Now I know of life, in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known by God (italics mine).

Lionel

Updated 1st published 9 Oct 2008

1. Calvin Miller “Into the Depths of God” Bethany House, 2000