Station 07

Continuing the steep ascent for another 70 meters you will arrive at a crossroad. At this junction you face the seventh Station. Inside a small chapel, a huge pillar remains of the “Judgment Gate” - a first century Jerusalem Gate. In biblical times, the city gates were the place where judgments were passed and from here, people were led to their public execution.

In the Old Testament, once a year the high priest carried the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering for the people. The body of that offering was burned outside “the camp”. During the Temple period it was burned outside the city wall of Jerusalem. Jesus also went outside the city to carry the sins of all mankind.

The Priest performed the sacrifice by placing his hands on the head of a perfect goat. Thus all the sins of the people were transferred on that goat and also all the perfection of that goat was transferred onto the people. In the Old Testament this was a temporary arrangement and was repeated annually, in the New Testament Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross once for all (Hebrews 10:10). His sacrifice is sufficient for time and eternity.

Reflection

A city gives protection and being inside an encampment makes us feel safe and warm. Going outside makes us feel exposed and vulnerable. This act requires faith that somehow God will be with us and He will be our defender. Abraham also went out of his comfort zone and lived a life outside the city walls - he is called our Father of Faith. Jesus goes out of the city to carry the shame and reproach of sinful men. In Hebrews (13:13) we read: “Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore” - not indulging in sin, but instead live Holy lives.” (Gal 5:16)

Prayer

Lord, thank you for bearing all our sin and shame and help me to follow you by faith. Guide me out of my personal comfort zone.