HOW HEAVY IS YOUR CROSS?
*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*HOW HEAVY IS YOUR CROSS?*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Matt 27: 32 *And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.*
*lnsight and Highlight.*
Luke 9:23 *And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.*
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Jesus was ruthlessly tortured by the Romans.
He was physically drained yet the Romans forced him to carry His cross to the place where He would be crucified.
Jesus had carried His own cross (John 19:17) and seeing His condition, the Roman soldiers forced another man to help Jesus carry the cross.
His name was Simon the Cyrene, Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).
Jesus though exhausted did not request He be helped because He had resolutely prepared Himself to die for our sins.
2 Peter 2:24 says *"...his own self bare our sins..."*. The stripes, the shame, reproach he took upon Himself so that "by his own self" He can deliver the people from their sins, Matt 1:21.
The cross represents burden, challenges, the atoning death of Jesus. It reminds us of the sacrifice that was made for us.
Simon was compelled which tells us he did not offer himself but was shouldered with the responsibility.
Simon carrying the cross is indicative of how life's problems can be placed on people's shoulder when they least expected it.
Also it is indicative of what will come in the life of everyone who finds him/herself where Jesus is.
Simon may have borne the cross part of the way to Golgotha, but Jesus bore Simon’s sin (1 John 2:2).
Is your cross heavy?
Your cross cannot be heavier that Jesus's.
The burden of sin goes beyond the weight of the cross.
2 Corin 4:8-10 *We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;*
*Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;*
*Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.*
Does your cross seem heavy?
Be encouraged.
You are almost at Calvary.
*Remorse corner.*
Whatever cross you are carrying today cannot be compared to the death Jesus suffered for you.
*Call to Word action.*
Matthew 11:28-29 *Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.*
*Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Jesus' cross reached a final destination, Golgotha, where your challenges ended and where solution started.
Be encouraged, carry it, do not give up.
It must get to Calvary. There, your solution is!
*Prayer.*
Lord help me as l carry my cross daily.
Let me not be weary but strengthened to finish strong, in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.