After a long night of agonizing, blood-stained prayers, followed by a friend’s betrayal and a criminal arrest, then hours of kangaroo court proceedings, accompanied by taunts and violent mobs, which culminated in a vicious scourging, Jesus was “led away” to be crucified, “bearing His cross” (John 19:16-17). Somewhere along the way, the executioners “compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian…to bear His cross” (Mark 15:21).
Simon did not have a choice in this matter. Under law, the soldiers “impressed him into service,” and he was obligated to carry the burden as directed.
Would any of us have volunteered? Would we have done anything to ease the burden on our Savior? Sometimes we make excuses and feel that we have been “impressed into service” by a ruling authority. When, in fact, we have instead been lovingly granted access into a relationship with the One who Redeemed us (Heb. 10:19-23)! Rather than see carrying His cross as a burden, let us see the privilege and enjoy every moment of bearing “it after Jesus” (Luke 23:26)!