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Luke 23:26
In a Roman crucifixion the condemned was forced to carry the crossbeam of the cross, which was normally tied to the condemned, and the pole of the cross was permanently planted at the site of the crucifixion being used in numerous different crucifixions. In the case of Jesus, He was given the heavier pole to bear, and a man randomly chosen by the Roman guards was forced to carry the lesser of the load in the crossbeam.
This is a promise and example that Jesus will carry the heavier load.
This is a promise and example that we too must take up our cross and follow Jesus.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Jesus carried the pole in which normally would have been used to crucify many people, yet Jesus took it upon Himself to carry that pole in His crucifixion for everyone. As Simon the Cyrenian (Luke 23:26) was forced to take up the crossmember, which rightfully should be tied to him, and us, in bearing our own sin and carry it in following Jesus to this crucifixion, Jesus carried the heavier load in the crucifying pole which holds all the weight of the one being crucified.
This is a perfect example of what Jesus did for us in being crucified for the sins of all man; He carries the heavy load of bearing our sins and He paid our price for those sins. In following Jesus and accepting what He has done for us on the cross, we must take up our cross and follow Him; seek to live our lives as He has taught us in His Word. In Luke 9:23-27 Jesus speaks of taking up one’s cross daily and following Him. In this is to deny ourselves (the sinful nature) and lose that life in finding new life in Him. In this is salvation – to come to know God through a relationship with His Son Jesus (John 17:3).
Dear Lord,
To take up one’s cross daily and follow You is a task that to many seems daunting, but Jesus has stated that His yoke is easy and the burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). He took upon Himself the heavy burden of our sins and bore them on the cross as He carries the heavy load so that our load may be light in following Him. But this can only be done through trusting in Him and seeking Your will for our lives each day. The strength to bear our cross is found in Jesus; please help us to see that Jesus bore the heavy load of sin for us that we may receive forgiveness through Him as we trust in Him each day. In Jesus name I pray, amen.