"A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross."
Mark 15:21
Mark 15:21
Thank you Simon for carrying the cross for my Lord.
I paused then placed my name in this scripture. "A passerby named Wendy..." Every day we are called to take up the cross of Christ and follow Him. The cross is a symbol of death. The Lord died for us as a payment for sin and He asks us to die to our own right, desires, wants, and expectations each day.
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34
Mark 8:34
Today was difficult to read. This video tells the story beautifully, Watch the Lamb.
8 Comments:
Dear Wendy,
Tears are streaming and I have nothing more to say. Thank you for posting the song and video.
Be blessed,
karen
Oh, this is very hard reading. To see Him suffer unbearable physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual agony on our behalf. The heaped up guilt of the sins of all of the world was a burden which only the sinless Jesus could bear. The cross depicts the magnitude of the great love he has for us. Let us not forget this reading and song-allow it to guard against our willful sin, ingratitude and complaining.
The cross is more than just a symbol of Christ's death. For the Christian, it is a way of life.
One verse to me shows the greatness example of intercession praying: "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing," (Luke 23:34). We can not begin to compare any of our sufferings with what Jesus went through. He forgave. Surely, we can choose to forgive too. Oh, that I may not look at whether or not people deserve the forgiveness, but to focus on becoming more like Christ.
Hugs,
Lori - AZ
Like Karen, tears are flowing.
"A passerby named Joy..." That passerby did not pass by casually or by chance. Lord, help me be intentional today as I carry Your cross.
"One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out." John 19:34
Carrying His cross, Christ arrived at Golgotha. “King of the Jews” read the sign. King of the Jews? Oh no Lord, You are so much more. King of everything. King of all my thoughts and every desire. “King of my life I crown Thee now.”
Yet, You were royally mocked by priests, teachers, elders and criminals. Still You implored forgiveness for Your accusers. “Father, forgive them…” Words that must have pierced the soldiers just as forcefully as the nails they used to pierce You. Not only did You forgive, but You spoke a word in their defence, saying, “they don’t know what they are doing.”
A scoffing criminal taunts, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself - and us, too, while you’re at it!” Oh, if only You could. It was impossible to do both. You could save Yourself or us. Both was not an option. In selflessness You chose us and courageously remained on the cross. A cross that required abandonment as Your Father turned His face away. You were abandoned so that I would never have to experience such deep separation.
As a final act of scriptures fulfillment, one of the soldiers thrust a spear through Your side and immediately blood and water flowed out. Blood was expected. The flow of water was surprising. Some explain the water came from the rupture of the pericardium, a sac around the heart. It was not the crucifixion that claimed Your life. It was love. You died of a broken heart.
I know that was not the last time Your heart broke. Today, right this moment, is it breaking again? Wounded by those who still mock, reject, accuse and refuse. Father, forgive me for all the times I have been the one to break Your heart. Forgive me Lord. I have no excuse. I know what I am doing.
Humbly His,
Joy
Yes tears are flowing - thank you!
They scoffed save yourself.. but had he saved himself, we would all be doomed. They didn't understand, and confirms to me that I need to be patient and trusting when I don't understand. To be quick to respond to Gods instructions because there is a bigger picture.
Leaning on and trusting in - Him!
Lynn
Like Karen, I don't have anything else to say as tears flow. What He suffered just for me. Praise You Jesus!
I am holding onto today that nothing is impossible with God...He can change our hearts, He can change our minds, He can change our lives. Even when the lies of Satan have blinded and deceived.
Blessing coming your way sisters,
Brandee, TN
yes, hard to read. But when that temple veil was torn in two, we were given inner, direct, personal access to the Father, through his Son. "It's Friday but Sunday is coming"!
What sticks out to me on this verse is that Simon was forced to carry the cross. He was just passing by. How many of us who were passing by would be WILLING to pick it and carry it? Even though Simon was forced by soldiers, it doesn't say he refused. Could you imagine the weight of the cross falling heavy on your soldier? And Simon did it all the way to Calvary. It must have been hard as he struggled up the hill...btwn the time of being pulled to do the job and the time of getting the cross up on the hill, did he realize who he was carry the cross for? After all, he was just passing through. Thanks for posting.
Did you notice the Roman solider worshiped at the foot of the cross? "Surely this is the Son of God?"
Wow
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