Dear Explorer,
Read Matthew 27:32-33
And
Read Mark 15:21
And
Read Luke 23:26
And
Read John 19:17
I don't believe that there is a discrepancy between the accounts. I believe that the soldiers forced Jesus to carry his own cross. But when Jesus was unable to do so, they grabbed a man from the crowd and forced him to carry it for Jesus. So, I believe that they are all accurate – just some include more information than others.
You need to know that according to Roman law, a soldier could stop anyone, anywhere, anytime and command them to carry a load for up to 1 mile – no further. We talked about this in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus told his followers to go ahead and carry the load 2.
Criminals were usually required to carry their own crosses. Why didn't Jesus?
I believe that after almost 24 hours of being beaten, flogged, and tortured, he was unable to. Does that mean he was physically weak as a human being?
I don't think so. As a carpenter, he was used to hard labor and was probably more rugged and muscular (buff) than any of the religious leaders! I think this weakness attests to the brutality and level of torture done to Him.
Apparently, Simon of Cyrene had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. We don't know any details about him except that he was from a city in North Africa. Mark tells us that he had 2 boys, Alexander and Rufus. In other literature we find that these two sons later became strong leaders in the early church. Were they with their dad that day?
We don't know.
We never know how or when or where God will use us to bless someone else. I have never been asked to carry someone's cross – but I do know of many times when God prompts me to do something for someone and it's just what they needed.
One day in Denver, I was taking a gift to a young mother with a new baby. Our ministry was in a group of trailer parks (modular units) in an area called Federal Heights. I had never been to Cindy's trailer and when I drove to her address, the address wasn't on the trailer. I just had to guess which one was hers. I knocked and no one came to the door. I got back in my car to leave, when I felt God was saying, “Ask the neighbors if this is the right house.” So, I did.
I went up to another house and knocked. A lady came to the door. I told her I was from the church and was trying to find Cindy. She looked at me real strangely – like she was seeing a ghost! She asked me to repeat what I had just said. I told her I was bringing a baby gift to Cindy and that I was from Cindy's church.
“So, you are from a church?” “Yes,” I replied. I told her a little about our little church – how we met in the local elementary school. She seemed really, really interested and I felt God was telling me to slow down and pay attention. So, I asked her about herself and she started to cry. She said that she had just prayed, “God, if you are real, please send someone to tell me.”
So, I did. I'm so glad that God orchestrated this encounter. And I'm glad I listened!
How do you think that Simon of Cyrene felt about carrying this cross?
I'm sure at the time he was horrified to “help” the Romans with this death. But I wonder if later, he felt honored to have been included in God's redemption of the world.
How will God use you and me today? Let's keep our eyes and ears open for opportunities to serve!
In His service, dale
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