Today's reading: Isaiah 51-55
"From prison and trail they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins--that he was suffering their punishment?" Isaiah 53:8
As we were standing outside the Church of St Peter and the Gallicantu (Rooster)/House of Caiphas, our guide drew our attention to the steps you see in left of this picture.
They were the actual steps Jesus would have walked in Matthew 26. The steps leading him away from his 'trial' and to his night in a pit before the day of His crucifixion.
Real steps. Actual stones. Still remaining. Still visible.
The steps used to lead Him away. The steps leading Him to a pit into which He would be lowered into for the night. A very, long night. A night when He would consider all my sins and wonder if I was worth it. (And, praise God, He determined I was!)
Did the soldiers have a clue? As they marched Him up those steps? As they pushed and shoved Him? As they man-handled the very One who would save them from their sins? As they mocked Him? As they paraded Him past those gathered for the commotion?
Who among really realize what He has done? Can we for a moment comprehend the weight of sin placed on His shoulders? How can we imagine the pain? Can we fathom the separation from His Father for that period of time?
