Bear the Cross

What if one day Jesus turned to you and said, “Thank you”?
Let us discover how Simon of Cyrene’s unexpected encounter with Jesus challenges every believer to faithfully bear the cross and follow Christ.

Did we ever think of it? Can it be like God wanted to say thank you Daniel, thank you Roshin. Thank you Rojin. Thank you Pastor Manu. In my childhood, there were days when little kids used to like the days of harvest. They used to go in the fields and do the harvest process. Being a child, I I wanted to use the sickle and try to harvest those wheat or whatever. It was only after the harvest we could get that place to play because that is uh the owner of that field becomes very happy when he see the field is ready to be harvested. The person or the labor who is going to harvest that field is in a great distress that how is he going to do all this? Still when he starts by the day and he if he when he keeps going it he starts to see the process is going. They start to bundle it up and they take it to their homes and stack it up. The smaller kids would tie it up as per what they can carry and what they could tie in a smaller sizes. Being a kid, we get very happy when we do those things. Yeah. While I was climbing up that hill, there was a point that I thought it is not that it is not an easy but I still wanted to do it that I I thinking I can do it. I will do it. The person that went before me, he took a big bundle up his head and he’s coming back now. He’s a he’s a person who talks rudely. He has a defect on in his eyes. So I we not able to understand if that if that person is looking at me or somewhere else then I would think that why that person was had a compassion towards me. He came and took the the stack that I had on my head and he took it on his head. Then I walked behind him. He he went to my house and put put it down. It was a big relief for me at that time since he was a rude person. And I was thinking that how did he think to help me uh like couple of weeks ago and I read a word of word from the Bible.
The Story of Simon of Cyrene
Let us turn our attention to Luke chapter 23 26. 23. Luke 23 26. As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon who was one of the person is being uh asked to carry the cross even though he did not want it to in New Testament uh almost there are seven Simons that we read about they have done pretty good things in uh we read in the Bible of but this person here Peter of from Sirene we think he has done a good thing here this was a time when Jesus was being led for the crucification when Jesus was taken carrying that cross. He was pretty tired. There was a time when Jesus was not able to carry that cross. We think before this day, last night, the the day before that go Jesus was being beaten up by the Roman soldiers. They he did not get any sleep. Hallelujah. We also know what happened in the Gethsemane regarding his blood was being shed was flowing out of his body. Even after that Jesus is now carrying that cross. This is not a such type of a cross as we see in uh cinemas that it is not such a good polished or good type of cross. cross beam. Jesus is carrying only the uh the top uh cross beam. They they won’t carry the whole cross when they go for that. It’s only the top part of the cross that they carry. It could be around 60 to 100 pounds. from the place to the the to the place where he is going to be crucified. A normal man can carry that weight. when even though Jesus was beaten up and all about after all that circumstances that Jesus went last night now one of his soldiers thought that Jesus cannot carry that cross anymore if Jesus falls down being tired there there won’t be a crucification then if if Jesus falls down the soldiers will have to carry him and take for the crucify That is when soldiers saw the Peter the Simon from
Sirene. Simon English he was coming from the countryside.
The English version says this Simon is coming from a countryside. most exactly right translation that is most of the churches believed to be a true translation. He was a person from
Sirene. If we uh look at the history of Sirene, the the population of Jews was too much. It could be that the Simon came for a Passover in this in this city. That is probably when when he was going back or coming in by when he was passing that is when probably he saw Jesus being crucified or going for crucification. Whatever the circumstance behind that order from soldier Jesus when He was preaching. He said like this Matthew 5:41
Matthew 5 41 if anyone forces you to go one mile go with him two mile if we could read it. Initially, our mind could uh could could think of something. These Roman these Roman soldiers were underpaid. Since they were not paid much, they could force the normal people to do some works. For an example, a soldier is going to buy groceries in a store. after buying some things. Now he’s looking at his cart and he says this is too much of stuff for him to carry. There won’t be a circumstance that he can carry call for a cal or something then he can call a normal civilian to come. He would call that civilian and put all these stuff that he bought on his head. But there is one rule. He can only make him walk for one mile. He cannot make him walk more than a mile. If he does that, then this soldier is is a suspect is make him walk one mile then ask another civilian to walk another mile. That civilian might might be looking at the mile post to see when he’s walking that one mile. That is probably when Jesus says if a soldier demands you to carry it for walk for one mile, walk for two miles. If such a person who heard that when Jesus said that if that person is coming when soldier is asking he’s carrying that uh gear you in a normal in a normal circumstance he would be looking at the mile post when he’s covering that one mile But this person is not even is not uh putting his thing down even after one mile or one and a half mile. The soldier was amused when he did that and he the person was ready to take it to the home. That is what such things were the salvation for such people. When they are asking Simon to do that, Simon should walk at least one mile. Hallelujah.
The Weight and Meaning of the Cross
It is said that the place where Jesus was being judged and to the place that he was going to be right now it is one mile. At some verses it says he was forced more than it is said that it is good to say the word seized over here. Hallelujah.
Who got an opportunity a blessing to carry the cross of Jesus? The Simon fromSirene got it. Jesus said one thing. If anybody wants to follow me, he should leave himself and take the cross and come be behind me. That is what literally is happening here. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. that Simon is carrying the cross of Jesus and following Jesus. After that, Simon might have went home. He might have some pain on his shoulder since he carried that cross. His family, his wife might have asked him, “Why is that pain?” Hallelujah. or his children Alexander and Rufus might have asked, “Why are you painting? Should we massage you?” The the marks of the the marks of carrying that cross was on his shoulders. Hallelujah. There were many people who had the authority to carry that cross. Hallelujah. The the Peter who walked on the water was not seen when they were asking to carry the cross. When the oh the Peter we saw that he denied Jesus and ran away. There was a Lazar who was being who was being uh resurrected. Lazarus was not also seen when they were taking Jesus for crucification. Andrew was there to take away the foot from the children but they was not seen when they were carrying that cross. There was none who was with Jesus when he was in doing his ministry. Hallelujah. Even though the Simon was seized or first, there was only Simon who could carry the cross. What are the qualities of Simon that we can see? There are no particular evidences in the Bible. Usually people don’t stay to see the crucifications. Some women or the families or relatives might only stay. They were the the women who know Jesus was were there. They were crying out for Jesus. Hallelujah. Jesus was saying, “Do not cry for me.” You cry for yourself and your children. Jesus did not need somebody’s cry to carry that cross for some time to walk with Jesus for five minutes. There were some disciples who were not being able to sit and pray with Jesus. How can such people carry the cross of Jesus? Simon. But here Simon carried the cross of Jesus. Hallelujah. During the crucification, it was God who brought Simon at that same time. Hallelujah. It was the crucification of Jesus was as per the word of God. Hallelujah. Otherwise they could have laid him down and have some soldiers protect him. If otherwise the word of God won’t fulfill. Hallelujah.
Simon vs. the Absent Disciples
And we so that is why the so we see here when Simon was even though Simon was seized or forced Simon agreed to carry the cross. What could have happened if Simon denied it to carry the cross? As per the rules, he cannot deny it. They could stab him and beat him and make him do it. to avoid that instance or circumstance not knowing who Jesus is. That is how the Simon might have carried that cross. There’s another thing along with this. There are two other people who are being crucified along with Jesus. Simon might have observed these three people. These other the other two people might be uh murmuring. They might be saying bad things about others. But the third person is standing there or walking without even saying anything and carrying that cross. Hallelujah. That so that a situation might have brought a thought in Simon. Hallelujah. That is why probably Simon why carried the cross. Hallelujah. There is a word in old testament that whoever hang is being hung on that cross is cursed. There is no instant there’s no there’s nothing written about the crucification in old testament. In old testament they were being stoned. After being stoned to death, they were being tied to the tree. Hallelujah. So that is that was done so everybody can see that and that is why there said curse. The crucification was done to done the most criminal uh the most person was done the highest crime. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Jesus became a curse for us. Hallelujah. There was a Simon who agreed to carry the cross of Jesus. Hallelujah. He was not by his own will but was seized or forced to carry the cross. Alexander the name even the name of his children Alexander and Rufus are being mentioned in the Bible. Even though we read about the roofers in the Romans Romans the the person who got the opportunity to carry the cross, his family got to be with the God. The people who are going to visit Israel uh go to look after that uh the place the walkway the pathway that Jesus walked during his crucification that might have been uh vanished or went vanished but people still go and find look for it. There are some people who sell some pieces of wood saying that this is the cross where Jesus died. There are many millions of tons of wood that people have sold saying that to find Jesus to know Jesus we do not have to follow that way. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Jesus has said this way. If you want, if you desire to follow me, hallelujah, there’s only one thing that is required, you do not have to uh carry the whole cross beam. At least the cross beam, the top part of the cross, can you carry that? That is what Jesus Christ is asking us for. the the literal thing that Jesus has spoken that is what we see there that is a thing that disciples could not fulfill that is what Simon is fulfilling.
Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Simon used that opportunity in a good way.
Hallelujah. Pilate said the king pilot said I do not see any mistake in him. Pilot, the wife of Pilate said, “Do not uh be in do not take uh do not take um responsibility in his blood.” I have I have went through a lot of way thinking about this. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Even in their family, they they tried to show who Jesus is. Please ignoring all that just to please the people of Jews. The the people there, it was done that Jesus was being crucified. Usually these two things are not being done together. The king Pilate wanted to just beat or stab Jesus and send him away. Hallelujah. God already prepared Simon from Sirene to carry the cross of Jesus.
Divine Appointments in Suffering
Anything nothing in our life comes into our life without God knows it. The path we go, the path we have come from or the path that we are going to walk in. Hallelujah. It could be a forceful Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Even though it is being forced on us, if we desire to walk in that way, Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Even if someone seizes us to carry, forces us to carry the cross and we carry that God will be blessing us. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. When soldiers saw that Jesus is tired and not able to carry the cross anymore just so that the life of soldiers be easy. That is why they called a civilian to carry it. Are we like that? Hallelujah. We are not like that. Jesus died on the cross. That is why we desire to follow him. Hallelujah. We nobody has to tell him to follow somebody. Hallelujah. There’s a word which says epilomi. We know about a disorderly seizing him.
Hallelujah. There is no other choice for him. After that, Jesus might have turned around and looked at the person. when he was relieved of that burden of the cross. I can now walk a little better. I can fulfill what is asked to for to done. The the cross the Calvary is near. Hallelujah. I came down to carry that sin. There is no it is not more longer. Everything is going to be fulfilled. Hallelujah.
Jesus’ Smile and the Call to Follow
Jesus might have turned around and looked at Simon. Thank you, Simon. Jesus might have smiled at him and said, “Thank you, Simon.” Think about that smile that Jesus is giving. As Jesus turned toward us and to smile, Jesus is asking to follow me, to follow the cross, carry the cross and come behind me. Jesus is turning around. There is nobody. Hallelujah. We are running behind a big conventions of crusades. We are trying to gather some people. We are trying to bring the houses. Hallelujah. Jesus says that um go Jesus has come down to take away the cross, the sin of the people. Did Jesus uh take that the knot off? If the cross or the burden is not being taken away, that means Jesus is not being crucified. If there’s something there’s nothing that Jesus cannot take off. So that does not mean run behind people who was taking away your burdens. We need to go behind the Jesus who carried our cross. Uh understand what is good. Uh think of the Jesus who crucified for us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Daniel. You did a good job. Good faithful and good servant. Hallelujah. Come into my rest.
Let Jesus turn around and look at us and say thank you. Fore! Foreign! Foreign! Let Jesus turn around and say thank you. Let Jesus say thank you, Daniel. And let us walk in a way that Jesus turns around towards us and say thank you.
Let God help us to walk according to his word.
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.