Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). John 19:17 (NIV)
Jesus had been on earth for 33 years. He had lived among us, dwelt where we dwelt and walked our roads. He enjoyed companionship of family, His disciples, and most importantly with His heavenly Father.
He taught, healed, reprimanded, and loved.
I love to fall asleep picturing Jesus walking with His disciples – the comradery He had, the guy talk, the laughter, the serious moments, and times of just being. Jesus was and is identifiable. We can relate to Him (at least in some ways) because He was in the flesh and dwelt among mankind.
This was intentional and part of God’s divine plan.
On what we now call Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem triumphant as the King of the Jews, the King of all mankind. The King of the Heavenly Father. The Holy One of Israel. The Holy One of my heart. What a glorious day that was – and Jesus was in the center of that worship celebration.
By the time Jesus was carrying His own cross, He had endured much. Excruciating blows, betrayal, denial, mockery, insults and physical pain. In five short days, Jesus endured more than we ever will in a lifetime. It’s here in this He is relatable to us – in our pain. He knows, because He has been there.
And yet, He still carried His cross.
I want to shuck my cross of suffering and affliction, abandon it, leave it hidden, never to pick it up again.
Not so Jesus.
He willingly carried the instrument of death, upon His shoulders. His weary, bloody shoulders, down the Via Dolorosa, leaving a trail of blood. His blood mingled with the dust – the very dust man is formed of (Genesis 2:7).
I have always longed to go to Jerusalem so I could pick up the dust that is mingled with the blood of my Saviour. I’ve not yet gone, but in my heart it is what I long to do first. I want to identify with Him at this crucial hour and it’s a tangible way I can (at least for me it is).
Jesus shouldered His cross with His face set like flint (Isaiah 50:7) on one thing – being the sacrificial lamb to become sin and take away the sins of mankind. To appease His Father, so those who put their faith in Christ would not have to endure the wrath of the Holy Just God.
Jesus knew the price, and the penalty of sin. He knew we could NEVER escape it, nor fully comprehend what was at stake. He knew we would buckle under the burden. So, He picked up the cross and carried it for us.
Jesus carried the cross beam that He would be nailed to. The heavy wooden beam most likely full of splinters, now mingled with His blood, sweat and anguish. Every step was intentional and determined. Every step was firmly planted in the ground He created.
I imagine all creation knew what was going on – just like our animals here on the farm know when death is near to an animal or we are gone or traveling. Every step was heard by creation. Every drop of blood was gathered in its hands as if to accept the way of the cross.
Jesus tells us: “And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38 NIV).
We are to take up our own cross and carry it, following hard after Jesus. He will carry the burden with us – we will falter and stumble, we just will. But He is with us holding the other side, or holding us as we bear our cross.
He understands because He too, carried His Cross.
May we set our face like flint as we journey this life – with its ups and downs, triumphs and victories in Christ. May we endure with joy because we have the example of Jesus –
Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2b (NIV)
Praise God for that Cross of Jesus. More importantly, praise God for the One who carried it.
PRAYER
Father God, Abba Daddy, oh what a tremendous burden Your Son carried. He carried the Cross and its shame, but He redeemed it and us because He turned sorrow into our joy. He endured Your wrath so we would not have to. It is almost too much to comprehend – may I continue to understand more and more of the price Jesus paid for me. And thank You for it. In the Name of Jesus. AMEN