Facing the Cross
“So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha)." John 19:16,17
“And there followed a great multitude of the people..." Luke 23:27
From Gethsemane to the Governor’s palace, now on to Golgotha. Jesus reaches exhaustion and already draws near to death. He likely hasn’t slept in 24 hours. It’s doubtful his need for food or water has been considered let alone attended to. Dehydrated, wounded, bruised, and bleeding, he attempts to drag the cross placed over his torn back and shoulders. But the pace is unbearably slow. How every nerve of his body must have cried out to stop the pain and at the same time we have to wonder if the thought of death might have seemed a relief for him.
Somehow, he found the courage and fortitude to go on, to take another step closer to the cross. And as he does, we draw closer to God, closer to the Holy of Holies, closer to the hope of our souls, Multitudes of people follow, facing the cross. Those who love Jesus walk right alongside his enemies. Some are at the height of their religious experience, some simply stumble upon Jesus, like an interruption to their lives, some in the midst of mourning, some on their way to do business or meet family.
Regardless of our circumstances or stature in life, we all, at one time or another face the cross. We encounter Jesus in passing or as we’ve sought him out and sat at his feet. But we all come and encounter the suffering Savior, the wounded Lamb of God, and there we respond. Do we follow or forget? Do we worship or weep? Do we continue on the long journey or continue on our own way?
For Prayer and Reflective Journaling
Can you remember times in your life when you or a loved one suffered and it felt like a burden to heavy to bear? In that place, imagine Jesus sitting with you, looking at you, working with you to carry the load. What do you see or hear? What do you want to say to him about that time in your life?
Now imagine Jesus walking the road to his crucifixion. In that place, imagine you joining next to him, looking at him, working with him to carry the load. What do you see or hear? What do you want to say to him about that time in his life?
Remember the first time you heard about Jesus. How did you encounter him on your journey through life? Write a letter of gratitude to Jesus about that time
