Carry the Cross! (Matt 27: 31-32)

After Jesus had been beaten and scouraged by the Romans, He was led out from the hall to be crucified. Jesus was forced to carry His own cross to Calvary. The problem was that he was weakened from the loss of blood so he couldn't carry the cross very far. The Romans realized that Jesus may never make it the place of crucifixion so they looked for someone to carry the cross for Jesus. Matthew tells us that a man from Cyrene was ordered to pick up Jesus' cross and carry it for Him. This man's name was Simon. Simon had no choice but to do as he was told. He lifted the cross up and carried it to Calvary. Simon who was there for the Passover never realized how his life would be changed that day.

We are very much like Simon today. We are called to pick up our cross daily and follow Jesus (LK 9: 23). But what does it mean to pick up our cross and follow Him?
We are reminded by Jesus Himself that we are not greater than He is and that what He did we should follow His example. He willingly walked to His death knowing what it would mean for people. He came to give His life as a ransom for us so that we could be forgiven. He endured the cross and its shame so we wouldn't have to face it. He knew the cost but he also knew what it meant for us. We likewise should also be willing to give up our lives for the sake of the cross. There are those places in the world today where you can be killed because you are a believer. Some face imprisonment or death because they will not deny the faith. I have heard some in this country act as though they are being persecuted. I believe that one day we may face it but today we are ridiculed in the media and by people. In some cases it may be desrved but as this nation turns further away from its heritage we will face more and more. We must be ready to take a stand for our faith. The passsage in Luke refers to the fact that we must crucify the flesh daily. We need to die to ourselves that Christ can live through us. Oh that people would see Jesus and not our flesh!

I do not know how Simon felt as he picked up the cross for Jesus. I find it difficult to believe that his life would not have been greatly changed as a result of this day. I always wondered if he realized that he was carrying the cross of his Savior as well as ours. Have you encountered Jesus as Simon did? Are you willing to carry the cross as Simon did? He was ordered but we can do it out of love for Christ and for people.