Matthew 27:32-33
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
For the next few days we will slow down to be with Jesus every step of the way on his journey to the cross. Read Matthew 27:32-33 imagining yourself there with Jesus.
Three of the four Gospel writers describe the conscription of Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross. Only John describes Jesus carrying the cross by himself. It is most likely that Jesus, beaten and exhausted, begins the journey under the heavy burden of the cross, but when he can no longer move forward under its weight, Simon is pressed into service.
It is important to see that Jesus faces his execution as a human and does not call upon God the Father for intervention even in this moment of extreme weariness. For the past three years he has been the one to lift up the fallen and give help to the helpless. Now he allows another to help him.
Take a moment to imagine Jesus humbly surrendering his burden.
Consider the burdens that weigh you down today, and then contemplate how are you following Jesus’ example of allowing others to help you carry them.
All our attempts to do life on our own will ultimately end in disappointment. We were not created to be alone, and the burden of our pride is much too heavy a load for us to carry. But neither do we have the power to lay down our pride easily. We need a Rescuer.
Picture yourself slowly opening clinched fists and offering up all your attempts at managing your life to Jesus. What does Jesus say or do?
Read Matthew 27:32-33 again.
Simon is identified as being from northern Africa from the country of Cyrene (now Libya). We don’t know for sure if Simon was a Jewish pilgrim who had come to Jerusalem for Passover, but it makes sense that he could have been. What we do know is that Simon had the immense privilege of sharing in Jesus’ suffering. We can easily assume that he was never the same after that experience.
For the last moments of this time of meditation, consider the words the Apostle Paul wrote following a recitation of all his individual accomplishments:
“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” – Philippians 3:7-11
Now get quiet and listen to Jesus.
What do you sense Jesus saying to you today?
How will you respond?
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