As we continue to reflect on Jesus’ journey to Calvary, may God open our hearts to do more acts of kindness. Blood from the crown of thorns and sweat from the hard work of carrying the cross, mix in Jesus’ face. This is not an easy way to show love. The blood and seat drip from him and sting his eyes. From out of the crowd, steps a woman believed to be named Veronica, who lovingly wipes the face of Jesus. It is a simple but important act of love and compassion for the giver of all love and compassion.
Have you ever ignored someone who was in need, or when have you stopped to help someone in need? Too many times we see people who are in need of help and turn the other way. This is true especially if it’s someone we do not know; but Jesus reminds us in Matthew chapter 25 and verse forty, that, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
As we enter into Holy Week, Heavenly Father, let us continue to mediate on your word and with prayer and reflection remember the cross that Jesus bore for us. Jesus was undoubtedly relieved when he got help to carry his cross on the way to Calvary. Just when Jesus begin to think that he can go no farther; just when the soldiers begin to doubt that Jesus can make the long journey up the hill, they grab a man from the side of the road and force him to carry the cross. That man was said to be Simon, and as he feels the bite of the wood on his shoulder, he certainly must have wondered why he, and innocent man, should be asked to do this.
When have you felt caught in the middle of something like Simon? How did you respond to the situation? I would have felt honored if I knew that I was forced to help Jesus carry his cross. It is no wonder, that, we are reminded in Romans chapter fifteen, that we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak and not to please ourselves. I don’t believe that it was bad luck that caused Simon to be at the right spot when they grabbed him, and I am sure after he learned who Jesus was, he was glad that he was the one who helped him.
Could you imagine this; Jesus, tired, sore, bruised, bloody, and on his way to his own execution, looks up to see the face of his mother along the road. What a moment for both of them! No words are exchanged, but Jesus can see the sadness and pain on his mother’s face. He knows that she was chosen for this road, chosen to bear him into the world, but he still knows her pain.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, when have you see the look of sadness on your parents’ faces, or when have you seen the look of sadness in your children’s faces?
As Jesus stumbled along the hot dusty rocky road to Calvary, he fell under the weight but he was forced to go on. He was crushed under the weight of the wood, and is bruised and beaten down by soldiers. He falls, for even though he is fully God, he is filled with the weaknesses of being fully human. This is the wonder of our God, who became flesh in Jesus. Thank you, Lord!
Many times we are tempted to give up, when the struggle seems too much to bear; so too Jesus felt the pressure, he felt weakness as we sometimes do, but he struggled on. Lord, teach us to bear the crosses we are made to carry with humility.
Jesus was forced to carry his own cross. As he journeyed up the hill to Calvary and the weight of the cross bites into his shoulders, his mind is filled with thoughts of us. He is reminded with each step that the pain he bears will be the cause of our joy. Are we taking this joy for granted?
The crosses we carry are nothing compared to what Jesus had to bear. Jesus calls on us who are strong to bear the scruples of those who are weak, to not judge or condemn them. That is why at times, we do things for love of family and friends, even though sometimes it hurts. And it hurts more when they fail to say thank you. How many of us are thankful to Jesus for the heavy cross he endured for us? How do we show our thankfulness?
When Jesus was condemned to die, for a crime he did not commit, he stood strong in silence. He was betrayed by a friend, falsely accused, and wrongly judged; yet, he accepted his punishment without a word of protest. He did this for us!
My brothers and sisters in Christ as we go through the season of Lent, we should be more mindful of all that the Lord has done for us, we should be asking ourselves some serious questions about how we live our own lives. Jesus was wrongly condemned for a crime he did not commit. Have you ever been wrongly accused, or have you misjudged or wrongly accused others? To be betrayed by a friend, falsely accused and wrongly judged, hurts. Many of us would not have stood silently and be condemned for a crime we did not commit. Thank you, Jesus, for what you did for us.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus’ death was predestined. He had to suffer and be raised from death, so he could bring light to his own people and to the Gentiles. Jesus gave up His spirit and gave us His life!
Let’s ponder this for a moment; Jesus gave up His spirit and gave us His life. Have we taken this ultimate sacrifice for granted?
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death. “What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”
Have you ever been persuaded to do something wrong by your friends, family, or others you want to impress? Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent of the charges, he was warned by his wife; but, he had already condemned Jesus to die when he released Barabbas. He tried to wash his hands clean, but the deed was already done. Too many of us know the right thing to do, but because of pressure, do otherwise. My brothers and sisters in Christ, soap and water cannot undo the wrongs we have done, only the grace of God.
After Judas left the temple and hanged himself, the chief priests picked up the thirty pieces of silver and said, “It is unlawful to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. Matthew 27:5,6
My brothers and sisters in Christ, what have you bought with your thirty pieces of silver that you received from ill gotten gains? Know the source of the gifts you receive so that you will not be accursed.
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death. Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So, he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” So, Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matthew 27:1-5
My brothers and sisters in Christ, have you ever made a decision and found out that it was too late to change your mind? There are consequences to all of our actions and decisions. Judas was enticed by thirty pieces of silver. What is it that so easily entices you? Let us daily ask God, to relieve us from the snares of the enemy that so easily ensnares us, and for his guidance in making the right decisions. Many times, the decisions we make are irreversible and have dire consequences.