Luke 23:26
“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.”
Jesus had been brutally beaten and now was commanded to carry the cross upon which He would be crucified. Due to the loss of strength that His body endured during the beating, He collapsed beneath the load of the cross. When the centurions saw this, there happened to be a man who was passing by as Jesus collapsed. This man was not involved in the proceedings of Jesus Christ, but because he was a Cyrenian, they arrested him and compelled him to carry the cross of Jesus. There are several things about this story that can be helpful to your Christian life.
First, the cross is your only hope. Simon was most likely a slave from Africa passing by when Jesus collapsed. Was it a coincidence that Jesus happened to collapse at that moment? I think not! Jesus was giving this slave a chance to accept the cross of Jesus. Everyone is also enslaved with sin, and the only hope of being freed from that slavery is accepting the cross of Jesus Christ. Not so much the cross, but the payment of sin Jesus made on that cross. You can look at the cross and realize that it is your only hope to free you from the sin that enslaves you to Hell. It was not the baptistry, church, communion, confessional or good works this man had to accept, but it was the cross. You will never make it to Heaven without accepting the payment that Jesus made on the cross for your sins as the only payment for sin.
Second, you must accept your cross. Salvation doesn’t free us from trials in life, but what you do with the cross you are compelled to carry will truly determine what Christ can do through your life. You can run from your cross or you can accept it. You can run from whatever life has brought your way, or you can accept it as the cross you are to bear. Running from your cross keeps you from being all for Christ that He needs you to be, but accepting it is the only way you can bear your cross and be used by God.
Third, you don’t have to carry your cross alone. What I love about this story is that Jesus and Simon probably carried the cross together. Whatever cross you are carrying today, you can be assured that Jesus is carrying that cross with you. The great thing about carrying a cross is that you are not alone. You may feel alone, but Christ is also carrying the load of the cross with you.
Fourth, you will only succeed in carrying your cross by following after Jesus. It says that Simon bore the cross “after Jesus.” You can carry your cross and go after the world, but you will carry the cross alone. On the other hand, you can carry your cross and follow Jesus and you will find that the cross will not be bitter but will become the identity you can use to help others. Only Christ can take a cross and make it usable and helpful to others.
Imagine if Simon had denied carrying the cross. Certainly, there would have been another to carry the cross, but if that had happened then we would never know about Simon. God has a desire to use you, but you will never be used without getting under the load of the cross with Jesus and carrying it. It is then that Christ will be magnified in your life and your cross will be bearable and helpful to those around you. Stop complaining about your cross and pick it up and carry it after Jesus.
Allen Domelle is the editor of the Old Paths Journal which is more than just a Christian’s publication. It is an excellent place to learn how today’s headlines will forge tomorrow’s laws and statutes. Keep yourself in tune with what is happening around the world, as well as in your own backyard with our daily updates and devotionals.