“And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.” (Luke 23:26 ESV)
"And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
(Luke 9:23 ESV)
"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21 ESV)
Simon of Cyrene was forced by the Roman soldiers to carry the cross and walk behind Jesus. Here we see a pictorial portrayal of what it means to follow Jesus; here we see the symbol of the true disciple - carrying the cross and following behind Jesus.
Jesus calls us to come after him. He gives us specific instructions on discipleship: if we desire to come after Him, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow after Him! (cf. Luke 9:23). While Simon had been forced to do so, today we have the choice to decide whether or not we will carry the cross of Christ and follow "in His steps" (see 1 Peter 2:21).
Many have read Charles M. Sheldon's classic work In His Steps which raised the question, “What would Jesus do?”. This question has become a motto for many Christians and is often referred to today as “WWJD”. While we consider what Jesus would do, let’s also be sure to remember “What Jesus did!”. Let’s remember what He did for us! Let’s remember the suffering He endured for us and the love He has for all of us! We follow after Him when we do what He has done and also do what He would do; we follow in His footprints as He leads us; we follow after the Good Shepherd who goes before His sheep.
What might have looked like a catastrophe to Simon turned out to be a wonderful opportunity because it brought him in contact with Jesus. When we face trials in our lives they may appear to be catastrophic but they bring us to Jesus. There are many crosses we may bear but knowing that we follow after Christ in doing so, we have the confidence to carry on. We find strength in the example of our Savior - for we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength! (cf. Philippians 4:13).
Simon found that carrying the cross and following after Jesus is difficult and painful work; and it still is. G.K. Chesterson once said: “It is not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.” Bearing the cross is the most difficult and most important work that we can ever do.
We have the choice to deny ourselves and take up our cross and do the work of Christ as we follow in His steps - or to deny the cross and go our own way. What is your choice going to be? Let us all take up our cross and follow after Jesus!
Loving Jesus, You are our example and our strength. We choose to take up our cross daily and follow behind You! You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Lead us Lord! In Your name we pray, Amen. †
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