Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg
http://bible.com/events/49232705
The Untold Jesus Stories- Carrying the Cross
Simon carried your cross, and mine.
Today we conclude our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”
Throughout this series we will have been looking into stories that are not literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.
This series has simply focused on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often.
Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in Luke 23:23-27
Luke 23:23-27
But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.
Jesus was so weary from the beating he has received that he cannot continue to bear the weight of his cross. The Roman guards instructed Simon to carry the cross for Jesus.
Simon came to the Passover with his family to remember when God delivered the Children of Israel from the death grip of the Egyptian empire and their bondage there. But the story Simon found himself thrust into was different.
This was a new kind of redemption, a new kind of deliverance. This is the story of Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world.
Here’s the question: What does Simon the Cyrene have to do with you? With me?
Luke 23:26
As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
We don’t know a lot about Simon even though his story appears in 3 of the 4 gospel accounts.
By Cyrene, it means that he’s from an area of Northern Africa known by that name.
The gospel of Mark records that he is father to Alexander and Rufus, and he has come to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover Festival.
Simon disappears from the story as the crucifixion continues. Jesus is crucified between two criminals.
There’s little doubt that this procession, this moment specifically, never faded from Simon‘s memory.
1. Simon is demonstrating what faith would look like 2,000 years later.
We must choose to take up our cross and follow after Christ.
Jesus never hid the true cost of discipleship. To join Christ, is to die to ourselves. To surrender our hearts, our desires, our attitudes to him. It is giving Jesus all authority in our lives. And unlike Simon of Cyrene- nobody will ever force you to bear that cross.
You must accept the call of Christ. You have to choose to follow after him. It’s the only way that truly leads to life.
Luke 9:23-25
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
2. The cross Simon carried didn’t belong to Jesus, but to him (and to you and to me).
Jesus bore the penalty of sin for you and for me. Now he calls us, to bear our cross. Not that we literally die for our sins, no, that work has been done. But we are invited to lay down our right to ourselves, and follow Christ.
Scriptures for further study/reflection:
Luke 19:28-44
Matthew 27:27-32
Mark 15:20-24
Mark 15:21
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