“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24
Jesus asks us to take up our cross to follow Him. As He climbs to Calvary through I ask the Lord to let me carry His cross for Him. Call me from the crowd as Simon.
“As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.” – Luke 23:26
I carry the cross but don’t feel it’s immense weight. I look to see Jesus under the cross-piece carrying the load. I stare as He moves forward step by step. Then, I notice, this isn’t even His cross – it’s my own cross.
Jesus looks up as I hesitate. Impossibly, through His suffering, I see a smile in His eyes. “Why, Lord? I ask that you allow me to carry Your burden, I find You carrying MY cross.”
Jesus, struggling to catch His breath from the scourging and weight, replies, “My son, I ask you to pick up your cross and follow me, but I never said you’d be alone.”
Suddenly, realization strikes, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” (Psalm 68:19)
It is for the sake of His sorrowful passion and for His Divine Mercy that Jesus bears our burdens. All the weight of our sin, Jesus carries upon His shoulders. With every step He intercedes to the Father pouring out His Divine Mercy as His Most Precious Blood drips from His wounds.
“He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” – Isaiah 53:12
Come Holy Spirit, help me to accept the love of God as He carries the weight of my sin.