Tuesday, March 26

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And 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. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  - Luke 23:26-28

The greatest honor ever given to a human being was when Mary conceived and gave birth to Jesus Christ.  The next greatest honor given to a human being may have been the honor of carrying Jesus' cross.

But how unexpected the honor was!  When Simon left home he had no idea that he was going to play such an important part in history! 

We often hear that a cross is something that we voluntarily pick up; but this is not always so. The text tells us that Simon was compelled, at the point of a roman sword, to carry the cross.  What is it that compels us to carry burdens for the sake of Christ?  It is the power of His love. The love of Christ in our hearts is what compels us to follow wherever He leads and to carry whatever cross He lays before us.  His love compels us, and we would not have the courage to obey, if we did not have His love in our hearts.  Hatred, fear, duty, ambition, pride, these are all things that can motivate people, but nothing compares to love!  Love is the most powerful force in the word!

Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  
– Matthew 10:38-39

Therefore, “Take up your cross and follow Me” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender.  The question we should be asking ourselves is – Where am I not surrendered to Christ?

I do not know what kind of cross the Lord may present to you, but whatever it is, carry it!  Perhaps even as you read this, the Lord will honor you and ask you to shoulder a burden.  Maybe right now He's saying, "I want you to reach out to your next door neighbor.”  Or, “I need you to take a meal to a hurting family.”  He may be calling you to sponsor a child, or volunteer in a particular ministry, or make a generous donation.   Whatever cross He may have presented to you - Carry it for the sake of His love! 

Why did Jesus tell his followers to not weep for him, but for themselves and their children? 

One reason is that Judgment was coming for them, and he knew that it would bring immense suffering for the people of Israel.  In 70 A.D. there was a Jewish uprising against Rome, and the result was that Jerusalem would be laid waste and the Temple completely destroyed.

But at a deeper level,even though Jesus suffered terribly on the cross, He knew it was a necessary step toward redemption.  Although temporarily what he was suffering seemed worthy of mourning, the final outcome would be great joy and salvation as it would lead to people being reconciled back to the Father.  Jesus said, “do not weep for, but weep for yourselves...” (23:28) Of course we should weep over our own sin, and it is also true that Christ suffered and died in payment for our sin, but this verse teaches us that the Cross of Christ is not fundamentally a cause for sorrow and mourning, rather it is a cause for joy and praise to the God of our salvation!  

What Jesus saw as truly tragic and worthy of tears was not His death, but the fact that people did not accept him and would face eternal condemnation.  Weep not for Jesus, for He has conquered death itself, weep (and pray) for those poor souls who do not know His mercy and love.

Jeff Frazier