Topic: Can You Bear This Cross? [Saturday April 18, 2015]
Text: Luke 23:26-46
Key verse: “And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus” (Luke 23:26).
Without any pressures to make special sacrifices for the Lord, every believer claims to love and hold Him dearly. In moments to act it out, some believers will begin to drag their feet or simply flee.
The Lord had been condemned to death by Pilate, the Jews having preferred freedom for a murderer than for Jesus, the Giver of life. He was now being marched to die an indescribably painful death through crucifixion at Calvary.
Usually, a condemned person was made to bear his cross to the place of execution. Jesus had been imprisoned for a while, beaten mercilessly, and now made to carry the cross over a distance. He had become so weak that the Roman soldiers realized that He would not be able to make it with the cross to Calvary.
So, as they led Him by the way, they came across one man called Simon, a Cyrenian, who had obviously come to Jerusalem to worship, from somewhere in North Africa. They immediately compelled him to carry the cross, and without resistance, he obliged. Neither the Jews who accused Him nor the soldiers who executed Him were named. Similarly, no one knew the names of the weeping women of Jerusalem, the rulers who derided Him, or the thieves crucified with Him. But Simon had to be named; in fact, a brief history of his life was given, for we are told elsewhere that he was the father of Rufus and Alexander.
He was named because he bore the burden for “the King of the Jews”, and facilitated the accomplishment of God’s plan for man’s salvation, which came to a climax with Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary.
Many of us hoard our talents, skills and resources instead of surrendering them for the Lord’s use. We also spend time on things that have little or no eternal consequence. The truth however is, God is waiting for you. Make up your mind that from today, you will give of your best to the Master.
Bible in One Year: Psalm 101-104
Thought for The Day: You are only remembered by your golden deeds.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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