Luke 23:26-31
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on 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.
As you read Luke 23:26-31, imagine that you are one of the characters in the story.
We don’t know much about the man conscripted by the Roman soldiers to carry the cross of Jesus. His name is Simon, and he has come to Jerusalem from the Greek colony of Cyrene in northern Africa either as a Jewish pilgrim or as an immigrant. Mark tells us that Simon is the father of Rufus and Alexander leading many scholars to believe that Simon’s sons were engaged in the spread of Christianity in the early church.
When he was pressed into service, Simon probably didn’t have any idea who Jesus was - at least until later on. But three of the four Gospel writers consider Simon’s role in the story of Jesus’ crucifixion important enough to include in their narratives. Because he happened to be in Jerusalem at that specific time and place in history, Simon bore the burden of the cross on which Jesus would die for the rebellion of the whole human race.
Stop to meditate on the significance of Simon’s service to Jesus. Have you ever suspected that God might have had you at the right place at the right time so you could serve Jesus in some small way? Share any thoughts or feelings about this with Jesus.
Read Luke 23:26-31 again.
Of course women are devastated to see Jesus condemned to die. Jesus offered hope to the daughters of Jerusalem and treated them with dignity - and their love for him was fierce and undying.
Recall Jesus’ encounters with first the “sinful woman” who dared to worship him, and then the woman with the “issue of blood” who touched Jesus’ robe in faith.
“”I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.’ Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’
The men at the table said among themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?’
And Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’” Luke 7:47-50
“When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of [Jesus]. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. ‘Daughter,’ he said to her, ‘your faith has made you well. Go in peace.’”– Luke 8:47-48
Now get quiet and think about the ways Jesus has given you hope, forgiveness and dignity. Tell Jesus what you are thinking and then listen to him.
What might Jesus be inviting you to do today?
Will you?
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