Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Helen Dowd

April 14, 2006

The Procession – The Followers  

Helen Dowd

The trial is over. The sentence of death has been pronounced upon Christ.  Because a cruel Roman law required that a prisoner must bear his own cross, the heavy cross is laid upon Jesus’ shoulders. The procession to Calvary has begun. Led by a centurion, surrounded by a guard of four soldiers and accompanied by two thieves, who were also to be crucified that day, Jesus is led to Calvary’s Hill for His crucifixion. The place of crucifixion was not far from the city, but the long hours without food or sleep, and the torture which Jesus has suffered, has left Him weak. He stumbles and falls under the weight of the cross. This annoys the hardhearted guards. They want this thing to come to a culmination, but they can see that the Prisoner cannot proceed.

Simon’s journey is almost over. He has traveled all the way from Cyrene, Libya, for the Passover celebration. As he enters the city he meets up with a crowd of people. What is this? Upon looking further he notices three men carrying crosses, egged on by soldiers prodding them with spears. As he gets closer he sees one Man fall. The rough soldiers are just in the process of forcing the Man to His feet when they notice this stranger approaching. They know he is a stranger by the way he dresses, and because he isn’t agitated, as were the rest of the crowd around this procession. Suddenly Simon feels a strong hand on his shoulder. A soldier has grabbed him and is pulling him toward the fallen Man. Simon tries to break away, but finds that his effort is futile. He looks into the stumbling Man’s face, and feels pity for Him. Next thing Simon knows, the soldiers have placed the cross on him. He is forced to carry the cross for Jesus. Simon didn’t know this at the time, but he soon learns that what he is doing was the best thing that ever happened to him. I am imagining that during the rest of the trip Jesus speaks softly to Simon, telling him who He is. I am imagining that Simon listens, and believes what Jesus is telling him.

All I could learn about Simon was that he was the father of Rufus and Alexander, prominent Christians in Rome. How they became Christians I do not know. Perhaps it was that Simon carried the news back to his own country and spread it around there.

Slowly the procession moves along the road, which would later be called the Way of Sorrow (Via Dolorosa), because of this sorrowful trip. Many people are following, some attracted by an idle curiosity, others spurred on by hatred, hungrily devouring this cruelty, and wanting to see it to the finish. Jesus can hear their taunts and cries of contempt. He can hear children echoing what their parents are crying–the children whom He loved with a special passion, the children whom He had bid to come unto Him, possibly even some of the children who sat on His knee. It isn’t their fault. They are only imitating their parents’ words. And it isn’t the fault of the parents, either. They don’t know any better. They are only following what their religious leaders tell them.

But everyone in the crowd isn’t gloating. There are many who walk along, their hearts filled with love and breaking with sorrow. They had seen Jesus perform miracles, healing the sick and even raising the dead. Some of these are men and women and children who possibly themselves had been healed by Jesus over the three years of His ministry. Jesus can hear the cries of this group, too. His heart goes out to these, especially the woman and children, who are sobbing loudly in their grief and agony. Jesus, despite His suffering and fatigue, turns at the sound of their weeping and says, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for Me but weep for yourselves and your children.”

Jesus could see ahead into the future. He knows that in forty years time the Roman legions will rampage the city, setting houses on fire, destroying the temple, slaughtering husbands, raping wives, and carrying children off into slavery. So despite His suffering, He reaches out in pity for these people who were following Him out of love. He feels their future suffering, and tells them not to waste their tears on Him. His message is for the ones, too, who have hatred in their hearts for Him. He warns them that they are bringing terror and judgment on themselves.

Following the procession on this day also, are the people who are close to Jesus. There is His disciple, John, who has remained true, though often following at a distance. Also, following at a distance (Mark 15:40, 41), are Mary Magdalene; Mary, who is the mother of James the younger and of Joses; and Salome. These women used to follow Him and look after him when he was in Galilee. Many other women also are there, who had come with Him to Jerusalem. These women, whose hearts are breaking, can see only what is happening at the present. They cannot comprehend, nor do they remember Jesus’ teaching that He would rise again on the third day. This truth is blocked from their minds now as they watch this painful procession to Calvary. They will follow Him all the way, and they will witness His cruel death. 

 © Helen Dowd

Email address: hmdowd@telus.net

Website: www.occupytillicome.com

Bio

Helen Dowd enjoys spending time at her computer, along side her husband of 48 years, writing poetry, story poems, stories about pets and life in general, as well as inspirational and Bible stories. Her writings can be found on her website: www.occupytillicome.com. She has recently had a book published  – If You Only Knew!—a story of courage and faith, taking place during the Great Depression and beyond.  It can be viewed by pressing on the banner on the front page of her website.