Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
Lord Jesus, Master Carpenter of Nazareth, on the Cross through wood and nails you wrought our full salvation. Wield well your tools in this, your workshop, that we who come to you rough-hewn may be fashioned into a truer beauty by your hand. Amen.
(Justin D. Clemente, “At the Cross,” p. 76)
Mark 15:21-23 NKJV
Then they compelled a certain man, Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated “Place of a Skull.” Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
O children of God, do you now see? Your pursuit of Christ has always demanded a daily dying to your own self, and to your own dreams. That final, brief sleep of death is but the last laying down of all those lesser things, that you might awake remade, set free, rejoicing in the glorious freedom that will be yours.
Yes, hate death! It is an enemy – but an enemy whose end approaches, and whose assault can inflict no lasting wound.
Yes, weep and grieve! But more than that, believe!
The veil is thinner than we know. And death is thinner still. It cannot hold any whose names are dearly known to God. Rejoice in this! Death is neither a grey void, nor a dungeon cell – but a door. And when Christ bids us pass through at last, we pass from life to Life. Amen.
(Douglas Kaine McKelvey, “To Speak of Dying”)
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
We carry to be carried, we share in his suffering to share in his triumph, we have been and are now crucified with Christ unto glory.
(Justin D. Clemente, “At the Cross,” p. 82)
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
