A Guest House on the Via Dolorosa

While walking the road that Jesus took as He headed outside the city walls, toward Golgotha (Place of the Skull), we came upon an Inn that people can stay at – Literally called “The Guest House.” Also, across from the Guest House was a route that would allow you to leave the Via Dolorosa. So much imagery came to mind considering these visuals. When you are someone’s guest, you stay with them. You are living with them, eating their food, sharing their things. It’s an odd thing to choose to stay in a Guest House on the road Jesus took to his crucifixion. To share in His suffering is the hardest concept for an “anti-suffering” culture to grasp. The “Exit” is always present. The way out is always before us, but it was not the route Jesus took. Thankfully, Jesus did not exit early but remained. While Jesus walked this road, it was not filled with pride and arrogance, but humility and falling. Tradition says that Jesus fell on this road THREE times. Falling isn’t failure or permanent. Jesus remained committed to His Father, assured of who He was, and His desire to finish the race. These things can remain in any and all the suffering we might navigate in this life.