What a beautiful day – a clear blue sky with not a cloud to be seen! Your love shines upon us, our Great Creator!

Matthew 27:32-34 (<<click to read the passage)

I was raised on hymns and continue to feed myself and my congregations with hymns – I am sure that is why hymns so readily come to mind. This passage makes me think of the first stanza of Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone written by Thomas Shepherd in 1693and found in his contribution to Penitential Cries. It reads,

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
And all the world go free?
No, there’s a cross for everyone,
And there’s a cross for me.

He may have been an unwilling participant in Jesus’ journey to Golgotha but Simon of Cyrene really had no choice in the matter, he was “forced…to carry Jesus’ cross.”

Though Jesus was surrounded by literally hundreds of spectators, including family and friends, as well as, enemies, the indifferent, and thrill seekers eager to witness another public execution, he, in essence, was alone.

Simon may have carried His cross. Soldiers may have pushed Him along. Some may have wept. Others jeered. …but Jesus was alone. Jesus carrying my sin…your sin… Every. Single. Person’s. Sin. …who had ever or will ever walk the face of this dusty old ball in space.

Prior to his death, He even exclaimed in anguish, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (verse 46)

Alone…

My Lord and Savior…I…am…so…sorry – for even though I love You dearly, I would have done no better than they. There are still times where I get caught up in my life and I leave You once again…alone.

Forgive my erring ways. Give me a heart that aches for You…one that yearns to see You, to touch You, to be close to You. May You never be alone again… May I readily take up my cross and follow You wherever You may lead. Amen.

Dec 11th, 2018, Tues, 12:58 pm