(A lot is happening now.  Jesus prayed at Gethsemane.  He was arrested.  Beaten.  Put on trial.  Peter denied.  Judas took his own life.  Jesus was given one last chance to be set free.  The people chose Barabbas instead.  And what was left for Jesus?  More beatings and a long, painful walk to Calvary.  On the way His body was so spent that He could barely continue.  A man named Simon of Cyrene was forced to pick up the cross.  That is where we pick up our story.)

I had no choice.  They called me from the chaos of the crowd.  I had wanted to get a closer view of this man named Jesus.  So, I pushed my way to the front. 

It was there that I saw Him for the first time.  Blood was splattered across His body.  Lacerations, bruises, you name it.  It all consumed Him.  The Roman soldiers showed no mercy, giving Him more and more.

He was carrying His cross, but the weight of it was becoming burdensome.  When one would flog His shoulder with a whip, another would kick His leg.  It was right in front of me that it happened.

Jesus faceplanted to the gravely dirt.  I could hear the thud of the cross through the shouts and screams around us.  The soldiers jeered and cursed Him, swarming Him like a pack of hungry dogs attacking their prey.  They pummeled Him over and over.  I had to turn my head.

One kept yelling for Jesus to get up, but He could barely move.  The roar of the crowd was deafening at that point.  The soldier kept yelling, “Answer me!  Can’t you get up?  Answer me!” 

Jesus rolled over.  He could barely see out of one eye.  His other eye was swollen shut.  We thought He would try to speak, but as the shouts dissipated for a brief moment, all we heard was a moan.  That same soldier became infuriated.  He kicked Jesus in the ribs and looked me straight in the eye.

“YOU!” he bellowed. 

I looked around wondering if he had meant someone else, but no.  He grabbed my arm, pulling me forward.

“Pick up His cross!  YOU get to carry it now!”

Did I even have a choice?  I tried to protest, but it was futile.  I didn’t even know this man, but as I looked down at Him, His eyes met mine.  I can’t describe the feeling I felt right then and there.  Words certainly don’t do it justice.  All I knew was that I had to do it.  I had to help Him.

There were a few of His followers nearby.  Their encouragement pleaded for me to obey, and I did.  Stepping forward, a soldier pushed me.  Another flogged me with his whip.  The jagged rocks secured to the ends of the strings ripped into the flesh of my back, causing me to stumble. 

I could only imagine what Jesus felt like.

I bent over, lifting the chunk of wood from the dirt.  The tree invaded my palm.  Sharp splinters show no mercy.  They dug into my flesh, and as I lifted, I felt the dull, heavy weight. 

How?  How had Jesus carried this hideous piece of wood AFTER having been beaten so bad?  39 lashes!  Are you kidding me?

I could have sworn I heard his strained voice saying thank you, but I could not be sure.  Amidst the chaos, all the shouts melded together.  Nonetheless, we lifted the cross.  Together.

I will never forget that moment.  The more I helped His efforts, the more I realized I had done right.  This man deserved it.  He was worth it.

Bible study: Read Matthew 27:1-34 and journal about or discuss the following questions …

1. Why do you think Judas hanged himself?
2. Jesus has a chance to defend Himself before Pilate.  He had the opportunity to plead His case, tell them who He was, make them feel guilty, or even tell them off.  Why do you think Jesus stayed silent?
3. Why would the crowd choose Barabbas over Jesus to be released?  One week earlier they had praised Him on Palm Sunday.  Now they called for His death.  Why?  What changed?
4. Describe what you think might be going on through Pilate’s mind through the entire trial.  What is he afraid of?  What SHOULD he be afraid of?
5. How do you think Jesus physically endured the beatings, scourging, and everything else that led Him to being crucified?  What do you think His mind was focused on?  What lesson can we learn from this?
6. Simon took up Jesus’ cross when Jesus could barely walk.  Did he feel privileged?  Frustrated?  Scared?  What emotions flooded his being?  How would this event impact the remainder of his life?
7. Jesus sacrificed Himself for the world’s sin.  What are you sacrificing yourself for?

Video application: Here is a video of Simon helping Jesus carry His cross.  Viewer discretion advised.

Take it home: When I think of the scene above, I think of Luke 9:23 when Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  What does that mean to you?  Let’s explore some ideas …

1. What sacrifices are you making in your life for Jesus?
2. Which people in your life could benefit from being served?
3. How can you use the gifts God gave you to help others?

Take up your cross.  Follow Jesus today.  However He desires.

Just for fun: If you have middle school boys, chances are they have already seen or have been begging to see the new Minecraft movie.  One of my boys saw it last week; the other saw it this week.  I have not had the pleasure as both were taken by a large friend group, and I did not draw the short straw to be the chauffeur.

Anyhew …

Social media has been blasted with videos of Minecraft followers yelling, screaming, and throwing popcorn at the movie during the famous “chicken jockey” scene.  I am still unsure what the whole thing means.  My son tried to explain, “Dad, it is just funny the way Jack Black says chicken jockey.”  So, we go crazy??? 

I got sucked into a YouTube rabbit hole, watching tons of YouTube shorts to find out what this chicken jockey thing was all about.  I still have no clue!  All I know is that neither boy confessed to throwing any popcorn, but my oldest son proudly showed me videos of him leading a few chants following the flick.

Wow.  Proud father moment.  Here is the scene that has launched a thousand memes.  Not sure I understand why it is so amazing, but … yeah.

Prayer: Lord, I now realize the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice.  May my life be a sacrifice to share His glory.  Amen.