Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16: 24
Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus bear His cross. Jesus was too weak and too frail by himself. What makes you think you can bear your cross without any help? I touched on this before, and know there is a definite breaking point for all of us…
Do you think our Lord would have us do something He couldn’t do? We may not have to deal with a “physical” cross. Maybe your cross is a “spiritual” or an “emotional” cross. Whatever it may be… a cross is still a cross! When Jesus said His disciples must carry their cross and follow Him, He knew exactly what that would mean. Jesus remembers His cross and understands. He’s been there, and knows all about the agony, the helplessness, and the burden a cross creates. It brings me such comfort and hope just knowing that.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15: 5
FYI: Your cross is meant to bring you down! Would Jesus purposely ask us to take up our cross, a cross that He knows will sap us of all energy and leave us lying flat and helpless-even to the point of giving up? The answer is a resounding YES! Not until we are pushed down into the dirt and dust by our cross, do we learn that…
“It is not by strength or by force, but by My Spirit.” Zechariah 4: 6
So He asks us to take up our crosses, to labor and toil with them until we learn this lesson. A witness in my heart, and the authority of my experience shouts that the cross is meant to break us and drain us of every ounce of human effort. Again, think back to strong Simon of Cyrene… we have One who is a zillion times stronger. But He won’t take over our burden until we come to our breaking point where we cry, “O God, I can’t go on. I’m exhausted. I’m so broken! I have no strength left! Help me!”
“For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.” 2 Corinthians 13: 4
Jesus was crucified in weakness. It’s not until we are totally weak do we witness the crucifixion of our pride. Out of weakness we are made strong. Let go in FAITH! Our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak.