Bearing the Cross "After" Him

Scripture Reading:

Luke 23:26 - "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."

Devotional:

Many view Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross as a powerful image of the Church's calling. We are, after all, cross-bearers. We follow "AFTER" Jesus.

Sometimes we hear teachings that make us think Jesus suffered so we wouldn't have to. But Scripture paints a different picture. Countless verses tell us that we will suffer. We will face hardships and persecution. Yet, we are told to count it all joy. Not because the suffering is pleasant, but because, like Jesus, we look at the ultimate joy it brings the Father. Christ exempts us from the eternal punishment of sin, but not from the temporal sorrows of this world. He bore His cross not so we can escape ours, but so we can endure it.

Now, you may say, "Pastor that does not sound like good news." But let’s look closer.

Whose cross was it?

It was not Simon's. It was never Simon's cross to carry.

The same for us!

When you feel judged, rejected, or labeled "too fanatical" or "too holy" because of your faith, remember: It’s not your cross. It’s Christ’s cross you are carrying. Jesus endured His cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). We, too, should count it a privilege and joy to bear the cross of our Lord Jesus!

Something else in this verse captures my attention: we carry the cross "AFTER" Him. The original Greek word for "AFTER" (op'-is-then) means "from the rear, at the back." It’s the same word used for the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment from "behind" (Matthew 9:20).

What if Simon only carried one end of the cross?

Imagine Simon holding the lighter, posterior end of the long pole, while Jesus carried the heavy crossbeam at the front.

This perspective brings so much clarity to taking His yoke, which is light and easy. We are not crushed by the full weight. We only carry our "part" of the cross, in a direct, shared burden with our Savior. We do not bear our cross alone. He is at the front, leading the way.

The path we tread is marked by His footprints. The very stains of His suffering remain on that burden. He goes before us like a shepherd before his sheep.

Simon only had to bear that cross for a short while, yet it is remembered today. So too, our suffering is only "for a little while," preparing us for an eternal crown of glory.

Pray: Lord help me to count it joy for the suffering of the cross, because, as Paul wrote, ^"17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (2 Corinthians 4:17).