The Cross Is Passing By - Are You Ready?

Tiepolo - Christ Carrying the Cross

"Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.  And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him." (Luke 23:26-27)

I have always imagined what the people thought as they watched Jesus being led from Pilate's courtyard through the city of Jerusalem up to the hillside of Calvary to be crucified.

Surely some of the crowd that witnessed the travesty of an innocent man condemned to death in the place of a hardened, habitual criminal would follow the procession.  Many of them recognized Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, or perhaps from his teaching along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had healed many men, women and children throughout Judea.  Can you imagine the sick feeling they had in the pit of their stomach as they saw him bloody and battered?  Don't you wonder how they felt as they watched the synagogue leaders and elders participate in his unlawful arrest and sentencing?

Imagine finding yourself on the very road that the Roman soldiers were clearing a path for Jesus and the two others with him. There would have been a loud commotion from the troops as shouts and commands echoed in the narrow streets. People were being shoved and prodded as their curiosity caused them to peer into the throng that surrounded the Man from Nazareth. 

At that time the cross portrayed death and destruction.  It reminded the people in Jerusalem of their Roman occupiers. It was a symbol of the heavy-handed punishment administered for insurrection and threats to Caesar's rule.

As the cross passed by - the people were indifferent. They were not ready for its impact.  They had no idea that it would come to represent freedom and liberty.  

The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 1:17-18 "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

That "power" is the resurrection power that overcame the sting of the grave. Those who believe on Jesus Christ will never see spiritual death. The cross symbolizes an eternal truth: Christ's cross is life giving. Jesus is the Living Hope for all eternity.  (Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14)

Easter is a season of new birth and renewal.  If you want to know more about how you can have a personal relationship with God, please visit this link:        Billy Graham's - Steps to Peace With God

Easter is coming.  The cross is passing by.  What will you do with it?

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

The Cross Is Passing By - Are You Ready?