Station 10: Carrying the Cross
Luke 23:26
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. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.
FOR FURTHER READING:
John 19:17 | Matthew 27:32 | Mark 15:21
REMEMBER
Jesus was broken, bruised, battered, and completely worn down. Imagine the weariness He must have felt, losing so much blood, feeling the sting of the thorns and the lashes from the whip. He had nothing left to give. They laid the crossbeam across His shoulders for Him to carry up the hill to the place of the crucifixion, but He was too weak to carry it Himself. As Jesus stumbled under its weight, they searched the crowd for a strong man to carry the cross for Him.
A man named Simon had traveled 900 miles from Cyrene into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. He probably wasn’t prepared for the procession he encountered on his way through town. A soldier saw him in the crowd and commanded him to carry Jesus’ cross.
Simon knew the law. Carrying the cross would make him ceremonially unclean and unfit to partake of the Passover. Everything in him may have resisted, but he knew what would happen if he refused. So he picked up the cross and carried it for Jesus. That walk he took in carrying the cross transformed him; he believed. This is a beautiful picture of true discipleship.
RECOGNIZE
The religious leaders were dedicated to the law, but they didn’t understand God’s heart for people. Obeying the law cannot make us right with God; only a relationship with Jesus can heal what sin has destroyed.
Imagine what it would feel like to lift the weight of the cross, which probably weighed about 100 lbs – add that on top of the bloody, bruised, broken body that we live in. Visualize the burdens of religion, stress and sin that you have carried.
How have you stumbled under the weight? Are you willing to give up the struggle and trust Jesus’ sacrifice to be enough for you?
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-29
RECEIVE
Dear Jesus, release me from the religious spirit that controls and condemns. I’ve tried to be good and failed. You fulfilled the law so that I could receive the way of grace. I have been carrying heavy burdens. I want to learn from You and find rest for my soul. Amen.