The Cucifixion

Read Mark 15:23-45, Luke 23:33-56, John 19:19-42, Matthew 27:39-66
 
John 19:17-18 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

IS it not enough that Jesus’ back is a mass of excruciating, torn flesh? Blood from the piercing crown of thorns streams from his forehead into his eyes. Jesus’ wrists and arms are numb from the ropes that tied him to the lashing pole. Is he not bruised, bleeding, torn, broken and weakened enough? Now he is carrying the cross by himself – a weight of nearly 100 pounds (45 kgs.) Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Messiah, the Resurrection and the life, bears his cross to be crucified in the place of Barabbas, the murderer. How deep is the Father’s love for us that he would move his Son to such a bloody altar. The Servant literally suffered the truth of his own words, Mark 8:34 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
   Yes, Jesus’ words of committed discipleship are symbolic of sacrificial living for Jesus and perseverance through trials. To carry a cross for Christ, we must call on his strength to release our desires to the LORD’s will for his eternal kingdom. Cross bearing is about your mission.
   That’s why you need help. How does the brutalized Jesus reach Golgotha? Matthew 27:32 Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.
   This pilgrim from Africa, Simon, is forced to help when Jesus can bear the wooden beam no longer. Likely he had come for the Passover. Think of it. Simon was preparing to eat the Passover meal. But first he became personally involved in delivering the Passover Lamb of God to the altar!
   God put Simon there. Then see how the LORD rewarded his cross-carrying obedience as it seems his sons became Christians: Mark 15:21b Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.
   Cross carrying is usually unexpected, isn’t it? And as we begin our Christian journey in faith, our Lord will step in to say, “Here, I know this is too heavy for you alone. Let me help you.” The people who have assisted our ministry for Jesus are innumerable. What joy awaits through the cross!
   Yes, take up the cross God gives you. Yes, you may suffer. You may experience a great spiritual burden to weaken your walk. But you can trust the LORD God will help you fulfill your work. And you will personally know the power of such scriptures as Psalms 121:1-2 I lift up my eyes to the hills –  where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.