One author wrote that the greatest honor ever given to a human being was when Mary conceived and gave birth to Jesus. The second greatest honor was given to Simon, who, quite unexpectedly, was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus. By this time Jesus was physically exhausted. He had been up all night, not given any food, flogged, and emotionally abused. Now he was forced to carry the very thing that would be used to kill him- the cross. He did not have the strength to do it. The Roman soldiers picked a passer-by, Simon, to take up the cross. Simon carried the cross. Jesus walked by his side. Little did Simon know that the cross he was carrying would be the means by which God, through Jesus, would save the world from its sin. What would at first appear to be a great dishonor, being forced to carry a cross for someone else, becomes the greatest of honors. With Simon carrying the cross, Jesus was able to regain enough strength for him to complete the task he had come to earth to do.
Simon was asked, indeed forced, to shoulder the burden for Jesus. Sometimes that's the way it is for us as well. It is wonderful when we can volunteer our time in acts of service for others. There are many such opportunities, such as volunteering to serve our Family Promise guests this upcoming week or assisting at the Utah Food Bank. But sometimes we respond to the needs of others not because we necessarily want to, but because we have to. God places us in certain situations and we need to obediently respond. There are times when problems come, and we'd rather they just went away. We'd rather not get involved. But the problems won't go away. Someone needs us to help carry their burden. It's hard to carry a burden. It must have been very difficult for Simon to be the one forced to carry Christ's cross. But remember, Jesus walked alongside Simon as he carried his cross. So also Jesus walks with us as we help others with their burdens. Simon reminds us that opportunities to serve will likely come our way unexpectedly and even unwillingly. But we are also reminded that when those times come, our acts of service may result in unexpected and great blessing
for us and the one we serve.
I believe that opportunities to serve Jesus come frequently, in many small ways throughout the day. I can miss out on these opportunities because I am to focused on my tasks at hand or focused on the worlds chaos. If I can remember to breathe in the Holy Spirit, He guides me to where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing. It sounds so easy, but it is a great discipline, one that I will focus on today. It is a great privilege and honor to be the temple of the Holy Spirit............and an amazing comfort. I pray that with every breath I take I allow the Holy Spirit to fill me so I am able to do His will.
ReplyDeleteToday's questions about serice are hard for me. At present, I am virtually housebound. What canI do? Pray? Yes, I do a lot of that, but I have a desire to be more involved in active service to my Lord. Will He open the way? I don't know, but I must stay completely obedient to Him and trust He knows what is best for me at this late point in my life.
ReplyDeleteIn reply to your post Jim, you must know that you are of service to me. I do not know you well, but I know that our spirits are one. When I drag my weary soul to church your smile and genuine worship encourages me to the place where I need to be, in complete and joyous surrender to our Lord and Saviour. How amazing is that for service to Jesus?
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