Carry Your Cross

As we enter the middle of Holy Week, our focus turns to the last hours of Jesus' life on earth; leading up to His suffering, crucifixion and death. Although it may be difficult, it is important that we, as Christians, allow our minds to take us to the darkest parts of Jesus' death. We should never just focus on the fact Christ died, but more importantly on how it happened. God ordained the horrific suffering of His only Son for us. He allowed Jesus to experience this level of pain so that He could, in turn, comfort us with an understanding beyond all other. Jesus was betrayed by a trusted friend, turned over to a callous group of religious leaders, whipped until His flesh broke open, gouged with a crown of thorns, forcibly marched up to Calvary carrying the cross that He would soon be nailed to. In all of this, Jesus did not die to save our lives. He died in order to give us life.

Several books in the New Testament give us an account of these horrific events (Matthew 27:32 and Mark 15:21). The facts are consistent including when Simon of Cyrene was chosen to help Jesus. Luke 23:26 tells us, And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. We know that Simon was a foreigner (from Cyrene). And, like so many other things in life him being present at the very moment Jesus was headed to Calvary was no coincidence. He was there for a specific purpose: to help Jesus. Some may argue saying that Jesus does not need our help. I believe Simon was placed there by God for so much more.

As we read Luke 14:27, we read these words from Jesus, And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Like Christ, you and I must also "bear" our cross. Each one being unique and specific to our journey with Jesus. In other words, we as Christians are chosen to suffer alongside Him. And like Simon, the times we are chosen to suffer can feel sudden and random. And just like Jesus, we need help in carrying that burden. That is why fellowship with like-minded believers is so important. Sometimes that help comes from the most unexpected people and places.

Are you struggling with carrying your cross? If so, I encourage you to talk to Jesus. He knows just how you feel...

Pastor Aaron