Conveying the Cross

“As they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him… 

“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’  And they cast lots to divide his garments.  And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine  and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’  But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’  And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’  And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'” Luke 23:26-27,32-43

It seemed just another day for Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, perhaps to see about the hullabaloo going on in Jerusalem. And just like that, his life was to be forever imprinted. Swept up in the sad, frenetic procession of crowds and criminals, he was forced to carry the heavy, rough wooden cross of Jesus to Golgotha. Did he have any idea his was the cross of the innocent? Would he ever understand the spiritual significance?

We awaken each day knowing not all that will transpire. We set about our duties and plans, and get caught in the steady stream of observations, machinations, and conversations. Do we take thought for what is going on in the supernatural? Are we attuned to the Lord’s nudges to convey the gospel? He is constantly involved in current events and working out His purposes, and if we are available, we can take up the cause of His cross wherever we are.

Would we behold our Savior, His crucified body weighted with sorrow and love, pain and compassion, mingling down in drops of sweat and blood? What part have we played in the guilt He carried? How can we come alongside Him in willing service?

Today, where will we bear His cross? Would we follow Him to the place of atonement, and apply His blood to all that eats away at us, the resentment we nurse, the grudges we hold, the malice we imagine (with pleasure), the foreign affections we’ve left unchecked? Into what situations can we carry grace and forgiveness? Knowing the power of the cross is a privilege and responsibility for the follower of Christ.

Lord, may I faithfully convey Your cross to my secret heart and to those around me, for Your renown and glory.