They Forced Him To Carry The Cross

Mark 15:21  A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

The ability to take on someone else’s burdens in not an easy thing, nor is it possible in all instances.  There are situations where we can help out financially, or offer something that a person needs such as food or a place to live.  But seldom can we take on the burdens of the heart and the soul that are carried all to often.  There are times when we cannot act as Simon of Cyrene with these burdens.  These are the most difficult burdens and crosses to bear and to help carry. Often we do not know the family member is carrying a burden or has a problem. Pride and shame all to frequently get in the way of openly sharing what is troubling them.  All of us are susceptible to these, and no one is exempt. The biggest hurdle for many is to overcome pride and shame and reach out.  Often times our culture drives us to be the rugged individualist and just keep a stiff upper lip. Too many are lured into the trap of believing they do not need help even if it is simply a shoulder to lean on or a willing ear to listen.  The Apostle Paul shares in Galatians 6:2 an important lesson for all of us (burdened and unburdened) to grasp onto.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.  The simple law of Christ, the two simple commandments of Love God above all else and love our neighbors as ourselves are fulfilled in the simple act of caring for other.  We reach out in love not because our salvation hinges upon us doing so. No, we reach out because we who were shown love by Christ on the cross also need to share love with others.  We do this not out of obligation, rather we do this out of love. We are commanded to love God and to others by Christ.  When we fulfill that commandment to love others we not only honor the Lord and his sacrifice, we share His love in a very personal and tangible way.  We may not always be able to carrying the cross for someone else, we may be able to offer a simple ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, a hand to lift up or a reminder to reach out in prayer to the Lord.

One simple and powerful way of showing love is to pray for someone else.  As an Elder at Grace Lutheran I have participated in many prayers for those facing surgery, illness, disease or struggles in their lives.  I myself have been prayed over when I was facing surgery.  And I can tell you from my own experience that the love poured out in that time in prayer is comforting.  It puts a very tangible element to sharing the love of Christ with others.  If you can do nothing else to help someone, please consider praying for another person in your life.  In that prayer we acknowledge that through God, all things are possible.  Even that which we see as impossible can be accomplished.  And do not be surprised at what God can accomplish, even if it is not what we expect is needed.  He is in charge, and we are not. He alone knows what is best for each and every one of us.

Prayer: Father we lift up to You all who are heavily burdened by elements of their life that are beyond their control. We ask for your peace that surpasses all understanding to flow generously over them. We ask that You would show us how to reach out as Your hands on earth to those in need of comfort. This we humbly ask in the precious name of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.