As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
-Luke 23
Jesus didn't carry the cross for at least a portion of the Via Dolorosa. He may have had His hands bound. He may have never touched the thing until nailed to it. It may have only been the patibulum. Or He might have shared the burden with Simon the whole way. We don't know. We probably never will know on this earth.
The interesting thing to note despite whatever theological view you have on the carrying of the cross... We know for a fact Jesus didn't carry the entire burden completely on His own...
What does that mean?
Why would God have it this way?
Wouldn't it be such a better story if our Hero muscled through using every last ounce of His strength but finishing the deed alone?
Our Hero doesn't...our Hero possibly stumbles...according to the stations of the cross in the Roman Catholic faith our Hero falls not once, not twice, but three times.
How embarrassing.
The Savior of the world tripping?
The Savior of the world needing help?
God showing weakness?
Am I okay with this?
Should I try to justify this to make my perception of Jesus stronger? More powerful?
The truth is something happened and some guy named Simon from a place called Cyrene carried the cross of the Savior of the world for however long to whatever degree.
Why?
Jesus was a man.
Jesus was a weak homeless man.
Jesus didn't carry the cross 100%
I find that detail that one verse that one portion to be absolutely fascinating.
No matter how hard we try to make Jesus into this King, this Hero, He makes damn sure we can lift Him no higher than servant.
He tells people after He performs a miracle not to tell anyone.
He is born in a barn
He is homeless
He doesn't say a word during His trial
He washing the feet of His followers
He tells us we'll do greater things than He did
He cries all the time
He asks for a way out of the cross
He eats with strippers
He says we have to be like children
He hangs on a cross naked
He wears a crown made of thorns
He can't even carry His own cross unassisted
This is Jesus He is my King, He is my God and there is none mightier. There is none as worthy.
Who is like the Lord?
Hammock - Breathturn
-Luke 23
Jesus didn't carry the cross for at least a portion of the Via Dolorosa. He may have had His hands bound. He may have never touched the thing until nailed to it. It may have only been the patibulum. Or He might have shared the burden with Simon the whole way. We don't know. We probably never will know on this earth.
The interesting thing to note despite whatever theological view you have on the carrying of the cross... We know for a fact Jesus didn't carry the entire burden completely on His own...
What does that mean?
Why would God have it this way?
Wouldn't it be such a better story if our Hero muscled through using every last ounce of His strength but finishing the deed alone?
Our Hero doesn't...our Hero possibly stumbles...according to the stations of the cross in the Roman Catholic faith our Hero falls not once, not twice, but three times.
How embarrassing.
The Savior of the world tripping?
The Savior of the world needing help?
God showing weakness?
Am I okay with this?
Should I try to justify this to make my perception of Jesus stronger? More powerful?
The truth is something happened and some guy named Simon from a place called Cyrene carried the cross of the Savior of the world for however long to whatever degree.
Why?
Jesus was a man.
Jesus was a weak homeless man.
Jesus didn't carry the cross 100%
I find that detail that one verse that one portion to be absolutely fascinating.
No matter how hard we try to make Jesus into this King, this Hero, He makes damn sure we can lift Him no higher than servant.
He tells people after He performs a miracle not to tell anyone.
He is born in a barn
He is homeless
He doesn't say a word during His trial
He washing the feet of His followers
He tells us we'll do greater things than He did
He cries all the time
He asks for a way out of the cross
He eats with strippers
He says we have to be like children
He hangs on a cross naked
He wears a crown made of thorns
He can't even carry His own cross unassisted
This is Jesus He is my King, He is my God and there is none mightier. There is none as worthy.
Who is like the Lord?
Hammock - Breathturn