Why Did Jesus Need Help Carrying His Cross?
It’s a familiar story found in three of the four gospel accounts: On the way to his crucifixion, the soldiers encountered a man named Simon of Cyrene and forced him to carry Jesus’s cross all the way to Golgotha, or “Place of the Skull,” where Jesus was brutally nailed to the cross in a public execution.
Each account differs a little–one identifies the names of Simon’s sons, another tells us Simon was on his way into town from the country–but the basics are the same. Who is Simon? Why did Jesus need help carrying His cross? And what is the deeper significance of this cross-carrying aspect of the crucifixion?
What Does the Bible Say about the Carrying of Jesus’ Cross?
The Bible account of this appears in the Books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, known as the Synoptic Gospels.
- Matthew’s version is the briefest, simply telling readers, “As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross” (Matthew 27:32).
- Mark’s gospel account notes, “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. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means ‘the place of the skull’)” (Mark 15:21-22).
- And Luke’s account says, “As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him” (Luke 23:26-27).
Only the Gospel of John does not mention Simon of Cyrene, instead noting Jesus carried His own cross (John 19:17).
Who Is Simon of Cyrene?
The Bible doesn’t tell us much about the man, but we do know Cyrene was a coastal city located in northern Africa in eastern Libya. Simon’s sons Alexander and Rufus were clearly known by those reading Mark’s text, given their mention.
A Rufus is mentioned later, in Romans 16:13, and his mother is credited as being like a mother to the author of that book, though we don’t know for certain if this is the same Rufus. Also, the bones of an “Alexander, son of Simon” from that same time period were recently discovered in a burial container, or ossuary, in Jerusalem.
Some believe the mention of the sons indicates they later became followers of Christ and were active in the early church, perhaps because of their father’s role in the cross-carrying.
But why this man? Why Simon? The Bible tells us nothing beyond that he was “seized” and “forced” to carry the cross.
Some believe he might have been a Jew who had resettled in Cyrene and was now visiting Jerusalem, and it was because of his Jewish appearance that the soldiers selected him for the task.
Others think he was a Black man who had come to Jerusalem to worship during Passover. No one knows his race, ethnicity, or religion from these passages.
Why Did Jesus Need Help with the Cross?
We don’t know if Jesus needed help, only that the soldiers forced Simon to help him. But scholars speculate that after the beating Jesus received, He would have been in poor condition to carry something that heavy all that way, at least from a human being’s perspective.
Historians reveal that most of the time, the condemned were forced to carry their crossbeam, which would have been 30-40 pounds.
Prior to the walk along the Via Dolorosa–or “way of sorrows,” a winding route of several streets from Jerusalem to Golgotha–Scripture tells us Jesus was beaten with fists, flogged, crowned with thorns, and struck repeatedly in the head with a staff (Mark 14:65; Mark 15:15, 19, Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27:29).
Walking might have been a challenge for most men, let alone carrying a cross upon freshly broken skin.
But obviously, Jesus is more than a man–as God’s Son, Jesus is part of the Holy Trinity, the Triune God, three in one, co-equal and co-eternal.
This is why many scholars believe Jesus “needed” help not for Himself, because of any weakness, but rather for other reasons. Someone needed to serve as a walking symbol, a literal cross-bearer, in this dark moment.
What Did Simon of Cyrene Symbolize?
First, Simon is of Cyrene, meaning he is a foreigner. Whether he is or is not a Jew, he is from someplace other than this region, and therefore his very being brings “the other” onto the scene. Very quickly after the church started, the Holy Spirit made the apostles understand their message was not just for Israel but for all people–Jews, Gentiles, and beyond.
Second, Simon physically models discipleship for us. Jesus told His disciples in Luke 9:23-24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”
Here, we see a person literally taking up the cross and literally following behind Jesus to the site of the crucifixion. It’s a beautiful picture of discipleship. After all, it’s not always easy to follow Jesus, especially if you live in a place or time where Christians are persecuted or where faith is punishable by death.
Nor is it always easy to take a stand against popular culture that advocates for “an eye for an eye” or “do what feels right.” But Jesus died for us. Therefore, we bear the cross for him and share the gospel because he told us to do so.
Third, the positioning of the men is significant and also points to discipleship. The Bible tells us Simon of Cyrene walked behind the Christ carrying the cross (Luke 23:26). We, too, are to walk along in life, sometimes in very difficult situations, keeping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ahead of us as our model and our leader as we shoulder our cross.
And fourth, the act of carrying the cross was forced upon Simon of Cyrene, symbolizing another important truth: Carrying our cross isn’t necessarily a choice. Simon could certainly have said no–and probably have been executed right along with Jesus, or there in the streets.
But he didn’t. And scripture didn’t indicate Simon volunteered for the job. He was “forced” to carry the cross. Sometimes, suffering is forced upon us, as with Simon.
As Christians, it’s heartening to know the cross is more than a place where Jesus died. It’s a place of transformation, where Christ conquered sin and darkness, sacrificing His life so that each one of us who follows Him might have eternal life.
We shoulder that cross with Christ, taking on that burden in honor of what Jesus did for us. It’s not always easy, but it is part of our walk as followers of The Way: Jesus.
For further reading:
What Is the Significance of the Cross?
Why Did Jesus Become Sin When He Knew No Sin?
What Old Testament Prophecies Predicted Jesus and the Cross?
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages
Why Should We Not Be Weary in Doing Good?
Christians should want to do good because God has called us to do good. When we follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and do good, we shine bright for Jesus. By doing good, we show Christ to a lost and hurting world.
In Galatians 6:9 the Apostle Paul tells us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” In this passage of Scripture, Paul is telling believers that they do not need to become weary in doing good.
Oftentimes, it can be tough not to grow weary in doing good, but God does not want us to grow weary in doing good. God wants us to continue to do good and shine His bright light to others.
Why Do We Grow Weary?
Believers do not need to grow weary in doing good because God makes a promise to all believers that if they stay strong and continue to do good, believers will reap a harvest at the proper time (Galatians 6:9).
When Paul wrote this letter to the church in Galatia, he knew that they were feeling weighed down by the responsibilities of daily Christian living. Maybe you have felt this way before too. Paul writes the statement of not growing weary in doing good to uplift their spirits and give them encouragement.
The Christian life is not easy, but as believers, we have the help of the Holy Spirit. He will help, support, and encourage us each day. The Holy Spirit is ready to help believers at all times and in any way He can. He can help us walk in accordance with the right way rather than in the way of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
Whenever you feel weary and tired of doing good, turn to God. He can uplift you with His mighty hand (Isaiah 41:10). When you start becoming weary, discouraged, or depressed, remember that whatever you are working at, you are working for the Lord. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23). God sees every kind act, every kind word, every good thing that you do.
Absolutely nothing that you do goes unnoticed by our Heavenly Father. Hebrews 6:10 tells us, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” You are not serving mankind–you are serving the Lord. Never forget this vital truth and never grow tired of doing good. Your efforts will be rewarded.
What Does it Mean to Do Good?
Christians should want to do good because God has called us to do good. When we follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and do good, we shine bright for Jesus (Matthew 5:16). By doing good, we show Christ to a lost and hurting world. God has created us with the ability to do good and help others.
If we choose to not do good, we sin (James 4:17). The Bible tells us sin separates us from God, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). When we do good, we are acting in obedience to our Heavenly Father. Nothing brings God greater joy than to know that His children are obeying Him.
God has special purposes for each of our lives and these purposes include doing good works for Him. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This passage of Ephesians tells us that we have been created to do good works, which will ultimately point people to Christ. Our lives are not our own. Our lives were bought at the price of Jesus’ death on the cross.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Since Jesus paid such a great price for our freedom, we should want to do good things that honor Him and not grow weary in the process. Jesus is our Master Teacher as He is the best example to follow in our lives.
Jesus always did good and He never grew weary of doing good. Likewise, as followers of Jesus, we should also not grow weary in doing good. Jesus paid the greatest price by dying on the cross for our sins in order to redeem us.
In this entire process, He never grew weary, and He never gave up. He continued despite being in great pain, anxiety, and agony (Luke 22:44). He never gave up on us His mission of redeeming mankind from our sins. Jesus loved us that much. He looked beyond His pain and saw the future of mankind being reconciled to the Father through His death.
Jesus could have said He was too tired, or mankind was “too lost in their sins” to be redeemed, but He did not. Rather, Jesus chose to endure the pain of the cross and die the death we deserved to die. As a result of Jesus’ great sacrifice, all people can be saved who place faith in Him.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Why Are We Told Not to Grow Weary in Doing Good?
There are many things we can do in order to avoid growing weary. The number one thing we should do when we feel weary of doing good is to turn to God. Pour out your heart to Him and tell Him your struggles. God tells us to pour our anxieties out to Him and to place them at His feet (1 Peter 5:7).
God does care about you, and He wants to strengthen you to do good. If you are genuine when you come before the Lord and ask for His help, He will help you to be strengthened. God does not grow weary like we do (Isaiah 40:28), but He did experience it while He was on earth.
Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:6-7).
God understands that we can grow physically, mentally, and emotionally weary, and He desires to give us peace. Turn to God and He will help you. A second tip to avoid growing weary is by remembering God’s faithfulness in the past.
Maybe you were going through a difficult season in the past, but you still managed to be kind and good to others. God got you through the weary season before and He will get you through it again. Trust God in the process and wait for Him (Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 27:14).
For further reading:
What Does it Mean That Good Works Are the Result of Salvation?
Do Actions Really Speak Louder Than Words?
Is There Such a Thing as Christian Duty?
Why Does the Bible Have to Tell Us to Be Kind to One Another?
Is Being a ‘Good Christian’ Biblical?
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Aricka Lewis
Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Ministry and is currently working toward her Master’s Degree. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is probably embarking on an adventure.
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/why-should-we-not-be-weary-in-doing-good.html?utm_source=Christianity.com%20Daily%20Inspirations&utm_campaign=Christianity.com%20Daily%20Update&utm_medium=email&utm_content=5355200&recip=552988171
Why We Truly Don’t Need to Fear This World
Casting our cares upon Him is trusting in Him to truly watch over us and take care of us no matter what we may face. We need not fear, dear Christian. We need not fear. Our peace is found in Christ.
It is a beautiful and comforting thing to open the Word of God in times of confusion and uncertainty and to be reminded and reassured of God’s instruction to not fear. It can seem easier said than done in this world to not be anxious or fearful in light of what we see before our eyes and hear with our ears.
However, as believers in Christ, we trust in the One we cannot presently see before our eyes. We trust in His promise of eternal life as we live in the now and not yet of that promise. We trust in His Word that is more certain and truthful than anything else. When God says not to fear, we can trust Him because He is not a man that He should lie.
Turn on the news any day of the week, and you will quickly find a reason for us to become anxious, angry, frustrated, or fearful. The times in which we live can certainly cause us to lean more on our understanding or to feed on the lack of understanding or confusion perpetuated among us.
I do not know about you, but it can be daunting and emotionally tiring thinking on the issues in our country. It can be heartbreaking to see the things taking place overseas, and feelings of helplessness for those who are suffering are real and for some, overwhelming.
And yet, though we have legitimate concerns and emotions, those of us who are believers in Christ can be in the midst of chaos, upheaval, and turmoil and be without fear because of Almighty God.
Where is the best place to turn in these times for encouragement, peace, and clarity? The best place to turn is to the Word of God. We can read time and again of God encouraging His people to not fear and to trust Him, and we can be encouraged by these words from God as those who are His people.
Fear Not the World
We find one of the first utterances to encourage the people of God in Exodus 14 in the account of God saving His people from Pharoah by parting the Red Sea. God used Moses to encourage the people to trust in the Lord while Pharoah drew near.
Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:13-14).
Moses encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous and to not fear or be in dread of the people whose nations would be conquered by God on their behalf. He assured Joshua that God would not leave them or forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Verse 8 in this same chapter goes on to say, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
We find that David encouraged his son Solomon in 1 Chronicle 28:20 to not be fearful in doing the work of serving the Lord in building the temple, telling him that the Lord would not leave him. We also see numerous examples from the psalmists in times of distress and fear being comforted by God.
Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 94:19 says, “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalm 55:22 encourages us to cast our burden on the Lord and as we do, He will sustain us while not allowing us to be moved.
We can do as the Psalmists did in understanding that when we are afraid, we can place our trust in the Lord. (Psalm 56:3) The Word of God is such a comfort to us because we know it to be true.
He Is Victorious
In the New Testament, we see Jesus Christ reiterating similar words found in the Old Testament, which I find interesting. He tells His disciples He will not leave them nor forsake them and to not fear. He encourages them with His peace He gives that the world cannot give. He tells them their hearts are not to be troubled nor to fear (John 14:27).
In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructs those listening to “not be anxious about tomorrow for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Words such as this minister to us even today as we face some of the things we do.
If Jesus tells us in His Word not to worry about tomorrow, then we need not worry. This seems easier said than done, but we have a wonderful Savior who has never left us nor forsaken us. We need not be anxious about our life when we are secure in Christ Jesus.
The epistles offer great instruction for us to glean from and to apply to our lives as we endure hardships and face uncertainty in this world. Philippians 4:6-7 has been a personally encouraging passage in the trials of life and in times of impending anxiousness,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
These are such beautiful words to remember daily. Peter tells fellow believers to cast all our cares and anxieties upon Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Casting our cares upon Him is trusting in Him to truly watch over us and take care of us no matter what we may face. Our peace is found in Christ.
What Does This Mean?
Our hope is found in Christ. Our faith rest solely in Christ alone. He truly gives peace the world cannot give or comprehend. If we should suffer for righteousness’ sake, we are to have no fear of those who do such things (1 Peter 3:14). We can rest in the Lord through every season and every moment.
Be encouraged by the Word of God daily. If you have to shut off the news and every other reminder of this fallen world around you, do that and get alone with God in His Word. Meditate on His promises and His faithfulness. We need not fear, dear Christian. We need not fear because the Bible tells us so.
For further reading:
How Is God Not the Author of Fear?
5 Powerful Verses for When You’re Struggling with Fear
Why Has God Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear?
What Does it Mean ‘Fear Not for I Am with You’?
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Iyan Kurnia
Why Is Christianity Perceived to Be: ‘White Man’s Religion’?
Why Is Christianity Perceived to Be a ‘White Man’s Religion’?
While there is a widely held belief that following Jesus is restricted to white men, this is not found in God’s Word. The Lord created all people in His image and desires all people to enter a saving relationship with Him.
In the short story, The Soft-Hearted Sioux, Native American writer and political activist, Zitkala-Sa wrote about a Sioux Indian becoming a Christian. The young Sioux man adopts Western forms of clothing and thinking because he was taught at a mission school that to be Christian was to receive the white man’s “soft-heart,” (Zitkala-Sa. “The Soft-Hearted Sioux.” Norton Anthology of American Literature: Shorter Ninth Edition. Ed. Robert S. Levine).
Because of his failure to distinguish between Western culture and the truth of Christianity, the young Sioux brought problems to his tribe, which cost him his life.
Sadly, many people across the world have bought into the lie that Christianity is a “white man’s religion.” Despite the misuse of the Bible and misrepresentation of Christianity by past and present Christians, being a follower of Christ is not restricted to white people or males.
Instead, all people can place faith in Jesus. To combat the erroneous view that Christianity is a white man’s religion, believers need to be more intentional about promoting diversity in their churches and by going out into the world to make disciples of all people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
The Development of the Idea of the ‘White Man’s Religion’
Many people in history wrongly mixed Western, “white” culture with Christianity. For instance, some colonizers and missionaries in America sought to “Christianize” the Native American people through mission schools, which taught them the gospel and forced them to adopt Westernized forms of clothing and behavior as a part of being a Christian.
As was shown in the example of The Soft-Hearted Sioux, Zitkala-Sa mistakenly equated Christianity with Western culture. Sadly, Zitkala-Sa and many other Native Americans were repulsed by the gospel because of the mixture of Christian teaching and Westernization promoted by society and missionaries.
Similarly, other ethnicities around the world have also developed the same idea that Christianity is equal to Westernized culture or America. Some missionaries from England and America in the past forced their own customs and culture onto Native peoples, leading to the idea that being a Christian meant adopting the Western culture, such as clothing or worship style.
Also, the problem of slavery and racial segregation intensified the belief that Jesus was a “white man’s God.” Despite the work of many Christians who were the primary fighters for the abolition of slavery and racial equality, there were some Christians who misinterpreted and misused verses to support their racist views.
Despite these misrepresentations of Christianity in the past, Scripture is clear that all people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). All ethnicities are equal in the sight of God. The Lord and His Word do not condone slavery or favoritism of any ethnic group, culture, or skin color.
Instead, He desires all people to be saved by placing faith in His Son (1 Timothy 2:4). Every single person was made to glorify Christ in their unique way (Isaiah 43:7).
Diverse Followers of Christ
When studying the beginning of Christianity in Scripture, the diligent student will quickly recognize the diversity of believers from Christianity’s inception. First, Jesus and His early followers were ethnically Jewish. They were not white but were people of color.
Scripture never describes the appearance of Jesus or His disciples as white, light-haired, or resembling modern Caucasian people. In fact, Lord Jesus is never physically described in Scripture, probably because of the human tendency to create carven images or idols (Exodus 20:4).
In the Book of Acts, many people from various countries were present when Peter gave his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:6-11). About three thousand people became believers after responding to Peter’s evangelistic sermon, which would have included the various people from other countries (Acts 2:41).
Also, a man from Ethiopia is specifically mentioned as becoming a Christian through the evangelism of Philip (Acts 8:27-39). Likely, the Ethiopian man went back to his country and spread the gospel (Acts 8:39).
Furthermore, Paul spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire, which would have caused many different ethnic groups to hear the good news and become followers of Christ (Acts 28:14-16, 30-31).
In addition to being ethnically diverse from the beginning, there were also many early followers of Jesus who were women. Mary Magdalene was one of the first evangelists who spread the good news of Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:17-18).
Also, many women are specifically mentioned in Acts as believers in Jesus, including Tabitha (Acts 9:36), Lydia (Acts 16:11-15), Damaris (Acts 17:34), and Priscilla (Acts 18:2-3), among others. In addition, Phoebe is mentioned in Paul’s epistle to the Romans as a “deacon” or “servant” (Romans 16:1-2). Men were not the only disciples of Christ.
Thus, Scripture indicates that there were diverse followers of Christ from different ethnicities and backgrounds, both men and women, Jews, and Gentiles (Galatians 3:28).
In fact, Revelation mentions that, in the future, Heaven will contain people “from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9, NIV). As the Apostle Peter once realized, God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:31).
The Church’s Need to Become Diverse
Churches need to encourage ethnic and cultural diversity in their congregations. Doing so not only properly embodies the truth that Jesus died for all people (1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 John 2:2), but also makes all people feel welcome within church buildings.
If people in a church building are all homogenous, then people who do not look like them will not feel welcome. Instead, they will feel out of place and awkward.
Also, the church will need to be intentional about including and affirming people of all ethnicities. A variety in worship style, Bible teaching, and fellowship meetings will prove helpful in appealing to all types of people, regardless of skin color or background.
Congregations should avoid showing favoritism, rather in terms of ethnicity or socioeconomic status (James 2:1).
Finally, Christians should seek to spread the gospel to all people, not just those within their own geographical location. Jesus said to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
Instead of meaning “races” or geopolitical nations, Jesus’ command means making disciples of people from all ethnic and language groups around the world. Therefore, participating in world missions is another way to promote ethnic and cultural diversity in the church.
The Savior of All People
While there are many people around the world who believe that following Jesus is restricted to white men, this is not found in God’s Word. The Lord created all people in His image and desires all people to enter a saving relationship with Him.
In fact, Jesus died for all people, not just a select ethnic or cultural group. From the earliest New Testament times, followers of Christ have included a diverse group of followers from people of various ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Jews, Gentiles, the rich, the poor, men, and women throughout history have followed Jesus as His disciples. Instead of focusing on making the church look more like one type of person, Christians need to encourage diversity in their churches so their congregation will more closely resemble the worshipers of Heaven, who come from places all around the world.
What Is Christianity?
https://www.christianity.com/god/jesus-christ/the-basics/what-is-christianity-alex-crain.html
There’s much confusion about what Christianity actually is, who can be considered a Christian, and how a person becomes one. Here’s a brief look at how the Bible answers that.
Yom Kippur — the holiest day of the year begins TONIGHT.
Yom Kippur — the holiest day of the year — begins TONIGHT.
|