Matt. 16: 24 - 26, 'Then Jesus said to His disciples, if anyone wants to become my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, but whoever seeks to lose his life for My sake will find it. For what would it profit a man to gain the whole world, and then lose his own soul? What can a man give in exchange for his soul?The epitome of following Jesus is to take up your cross on a daily basis. The bible speaks of a young man compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Christ. Think of it, this man was responsible for the final destination of
Christ that day...with his assistance, He was going to set in motion a spiritual dynamic that would change the world! All he had to do was carry the cross of Christ!
You must put yourself there for a moment and allow your imagination to grab a hold of what is taking place. Simon (The Cyrenian), not only had to carry the cross, but Jesus as well! He could feel the life of Jesus leaving Him as he helped him with His cross. The blood of Jesus was no doubt all over this man! Perhaps, he heard Jesus wheezing and breathing heavy with the smell of death all over him!
As Simon carried Jesus and His cross through the streets, all of the people hurled insults, threw stones, spit, and he even felt the sting of the whip as he moved through the city - everything they hurled at Jesus, Simon got it too! BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP HIM FROM CARRYING THE CROSS! What will it take to get you to lay down your cross? Simon was faithful to the end, we must be also if we are to fulfill the destiny God has for us!I often wondered if Jesus ever made contact with Simon after He resurrected?! Could you imagine the look on Simon's face as Jesus approached him only to say, 'Thank you!' 'Your helping Me to My death, set in motion the birth of the church, the introduction of Salvation, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit!' I wonder what we're doing for Jesus whenever we carry OUR Cross!!
You know, the people, and even the devil saw defeat, but God saw victory that day - Simon endured a lot of things, only to later realize what his work accomplished...let that encourage you!! You may suffer presently, but by carrying the cross of Christ, there are things that are gonna be set in motion due to your obedience!! Don't give up!! Change is coming!!
- Pastor Melrose
