Jesus takes Up His Cross
John 19:17
Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).
Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).
Reading
Now Jesus took up His cross. The weight of it was immense, and some could hardly imagine that this man, so badly beaten, could carry it. But He did. Slowly, slowly, he began up the streets…labored breathing and heavy footfalls. Some people watched in horror, others watched in joy. Still others may have watched with the nagging knowledge of their own responsibility for this ugly scene. And that is our view - we look and see our responsibility in Jesus carrying this cross.
Sometimes we talk about the blood that He shed on the cross and forget that there was blood on the cross as soon as it was placed on Him. It ran down His shoulders, over his beaten back, and down His legs- leaving drops on the ground with every labored step. Simultaneously, Jesus’ blood ran down the grains of wood on the cross, a beginning for what was to come.
Now Jesus took up His cross. The weight of it was immense, and some could hardly imagine that this man, so badly beaten, could carry it. But He did. Slowly, slowly, he began up the streets…labored breathing and heavy footfalls. Some people watched in horror, others watched in joy. Still others may have watched with the nagging knowledge of their own responsibility for this ugly scene. And that is our view - we look and see our responsibility in Jesus carrying this cross.
Sometimes we talk about the blood that He shed on the cross and forget that there was blood on the cross as soon as it was placed on Him. It ran down His shoulders, over his beaten back, and down His legs- leaving drops on the ground with every labored step. Simultaneously, Jesus’ blood ran down the grains of wood on the cross, a beginning for what was to come.
Prophecy Fulfilled
Prophesy- Isaiah 53:4-6 & 10-11- Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Yet it was the Lord 's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Fulfillment- John 19:17- Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).
Prophesy- Isaiah 53:4-6 & 10-11- Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Yet it was the Lord 's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Fulfillment- John 19:17- Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).
Meditation
Take some time to meditate on this station
Take some time to meditate on this station