The Cross is Laid on Simon of Cyrene
Luke 23:26
As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
Reading (You are encouraged to read this kneeling at the cross)
Jesus did eventually stumble. Most likely, there were several times when the cross was too much for him. Slipping and falling many times, the centurions perhaps had finally had enough of this weak man who couldn’t bear the weight of his own crime. They grabbed a man from the crowd to carry it for him, and poor Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry the bloody cross up the hill.
So often the cross implicates us. It sheds light on our sin, and shows us our part in His death. But poor Simon: he didn’t even know it at the time, but he was the one person in history to truly feel the weight of his own sin in that cross. We hear exhortations to carry our cross, and to feel the burden that Jesus did, but Simon was thrust under that heavy load.
Did Simon realize the immensity of the moment? Did he understand that what he was carrying represented everything dark the world had to offer? Did he catch a glimpse in that moment of what would occur in the next few days? When the blood of Jesus ran onto his garments, did he feel the power that was held there?
Jesus did eventually stumble. Most likely, there were several times when the cross was too much for him. Slipping and falling many times, the centurions perhaps had finally had enough of this weak man who couldn’t bear the weight of his own crime. They grabbed a man from the crowd to carry it for him, and poor Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry the bloody cross up the hill.
So often the cross implicates us. It sheds light on our sin, and shows us our part in His death. But poor Simon: he didn’t even know it at the time, but he was the one person in history to truly feel the weight of his own sin in that cross. We hear exhortations to carry our cross, and to feel the burden that Jesus did, but Simon was thrust under that heavy load.
Did Simon realize the immensity of the moment? Did he understand that what he was carrying represented everything dark the world had to offer? Did he catch a glimpse in that moment of what would occur in the next few days? When the blood of Jesus ran onto his garments, did he feel the power that was held there?
Prophecy Fulfilled
Prophesy- Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-11- Surely He has borne our infirmities, and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we ourselves are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned each one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.... Yet the LORD willed to crush Him and He has put Him to grief: You shall make His life an offering for sin. He shall see His seed; He shall prolong His days, and that the purpose of the LORD might prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of His soul. He shall be fully satisfied. By His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many; and He shall bear their iniquities.
Fulfillment- John 19:16-19- Therefore, he then delivered Him up to them so that He might be crucified. Now they took Jesus and led Him away; and He went out bearing His own cross to the place called ‘A Skull,’ which is called in Hebrew, ‘Golgotha’; where they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on this side and one on the other side, and Jesus in the middle. Now Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross. And it was written, ‘Jesus the Nazarean, the King of the Jews'
Prophesy- Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-11- Surely He has borne our infirmities, and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we ourselves are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned each one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.... Yet the LORD willed to crush Him and He has put Him to grief: You shall make His life an offering for sin. He shall see His seed; He shall prolong His days, and that the purpose of the LORD might prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of His soul. He shall be fully satisfied. By His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many; and He shall bear their iniquities.
Fulfillment- John 19:16-19- Therefore, he then delivered Him up to them so that He might be crucified. Now they took Jesus and led Him away; and He went out bearing His own cross to the place called ‘A Skull,’ which is called in Hebrew, ‘Golgotha’; where they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on this side and one on the other side, and Jesus in the middle. Now Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross. And it was written, ‘Jesus the Nazarean, the King of the Jews'
Journal
Respond with your thoughts and prayers at this point in the journey
Respond with your thoughts and prayers at this point in the journey