TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.  They came to a place called Golgotha, which means ‘the place of the skull.’ ”  Matthew 27:32-33 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle Matthew.  After Judas betrayed Him in the garden of Gethsemane, (Matthew 26:47-49) Jesus was arrested and taken to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes, and the elders, and the Sanhedrin council had assembled. (Matthew 26:57)  His “trial” was their attempt to find evidence against Him so that they could put Him to death. (Matthew 26:59-61)  They accused Him of blasphemy and began to physically abuse Him. (Matthew 26:62-68)  Then they bound Him and led Him away to be handed over to the Pilate the governor for execution. (Matthew 27:1-2)  In His “trial” before Pilate, who could find no wrongdoing and washed his hands from the blood of an innocent man, He was condemned and ordered to be flogged and crucified. (Matthew 27:11-26)  The soldiers took Him, stripped Him, whipped Him, beat Him, hit Him, spit on Him, mocked Him, and then led Him away to be crucified. (Matthew 27:27-31)  As Jesus was probably too weak to carry His own cross, they compelled Simon to carry it. (Matthew 27:32-33)  When they arrived at Golgotha, they nailed Him to the cross and continued to mock Him while He was on the cross. (Matthew 27:32-44)  Jesus died on the cross.  He gave up His life, they did not kill Him. (Matthew 27:50)  After He died, His body was taken by Joseph of Arimathea, wrapped in linen, and placed in Joseph’s new tomb. (Matthew 27:57-60)

APPLICATION

Simon, the Cyrene, was compelled by the soldiers to carry the cross of Jesus.  Today, we are not forced to carry a cross.  Jesus, The Christ, said that if we want to follow Him, then we must take up our cross and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:24, and Luke 9:23)  We are to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Christ. (Luke 9:23)  The cross is not heavy.  Christ said, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)  The problem for us is that following Christ runs contrary to the way of the world and letting go of our worldly ways is difficult for us.  We need to be mindful of the fact that we cannot serve two masters; we must choose God or man. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13)  The choice is ours, however, like Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)