CARRYING YOUR CROSS
Matthew 27:31-32 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
[32] And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Here in our text is I believe the greatest day and event in the history of mankind. Jesus is being obedient to HIS Father, even unto death, all the way to Calvary’s mountain for the sin of the world. When Simon woke up and started his day on the day of the crucifixion, I am sure he had no idea that he would be asked to help carry the Cross of the Son God. There upon the blood stained street they journeyed together, side by side. They were shoulder to shoulder, inseparable under the weight of the Cross, two men yet one cross to bear making their way up to the place called Golgotha. There would be no greater act of service one could ever offer to Jesus, than to carry HIS cross! Hallelujah! This tragedy brought the privilege of intimacy, there were two of them, yet the burden of the sin of the world was laid upon Jesus. What words the Lord spoke toSimon in this moment we are never told, but can you just imagine what words Jesus could have said to Simon as they carried the Cross together? Maybe, Jesus said nothing, but looked at Simon with eyes of love and a broken heart for what was taking place. If Jesus said anything to him, I am sure it would have been words of love and encouragement that would have enabled and gave him the strength he needed to bear the Cross and NOT quit! Bless HIS Name! One thing we can know without doubt: in the darkest moment of all mankind, Simon met Jesus! For Simon to be able to have this great privilege that had been given to him, he had to be present and he had to be in a place to SEE Jesus, ready and willing to be used! Because Simon was right where he needed to be, when the soldiers looked for someone to help Jesus carry the load, there Simon was…he was ready to be used!
Maybe you have been carrying what seems to be a heavy weight or burden for the cause of Christ, and you are not sure how much longer you can carry it. In our walk with Jesus, there are great treasures we gather and lessons we learn along the way. What price can we put on all the times we labored, we suffered for the cause of Christ, and through it all Jesus was there…step by step…it was Jesus that CARRIED you through! You may be carrying your cross just because Jesus wants to spend more time with you in sweet fellowship. Although it was Jesus who carried the sins of the world, it was Simon who carried HIS Cross. If you are under the weight of a trial or a burden for the name of Christ….there could be no greater service for the Lord. What an honor to walk Hand in Hand with the Son of God!
Bro. Lawrence Longworth
Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”
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