Compelled to Carry the Cross

Mat 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

(Luk 23:26) And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

Compelled to Carry the Cross

Introduction.

Our Lord Jesus had been awake for more than 24 hours. After the last supper with His disciples He had been through hours of agony in the garden, then taken, beaten and humiliated to prison. In those 24 hours he had been through six separate trials, none of them was able to accuse Him righteously.

(Mar 14:65) And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

(Psa 129:3) The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.

(Isa 50:6) I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

(Joh 19:1) Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

(Scourged isn’t descriptive)

(Joh 19:2) And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

(Joh 19:3) And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

(Joh 19:4) Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

Let’s go back to Jerusalem, nineteen hundred years ago. It was a strange odd morning, never was a morning like that morning. The sun come up, but it looked like very strange. Something was going on wrong. Along about nine o’clock, we’re standing in a room. I hear a mob screaming, some saying, “Away with Him.” I see a little woman run out in front of the mob and say, “What has He done? Tell me. What has He done? He’s only healed your sick and brought hopes to the hopeless. What has He done to deserve this?” Who’s she talking about?

I look behind; I hear something going, “Bump, bump, bump.” Here’s an old cross coming dragging down the street. Blood just dragging out, the cross is dragging His bloody footprints out, coming down the street, spit hanging over His face, Blood and spit mixed together, tears and grime running together, crown of thorns pulled down over His precious head: “Bump, bump.” The devil walking around saying, “Now, if He was the Son of God, He’d never put up with something like that.”…

Here He goes up the hill. Look, I notice He’s got a white garment on. But there’s little red spots all over that white garment. What are they? As He goes up the hill, they get bigger, larger, larger, larger. After while they all run into one great big bloody splash, smacking up against His legs, going to Calvary. 61-0520 - From That Time

He falls. God is not weak, but His body was.

The angels caught their breath. For a moment the work of redemption was suspended.

A roman soldier sees an African man standing in the crowd, he says “You” “Carry His Cross!”

It is interesting to note who was not there to carry the cross. Peter wasn’t there, James and John weren’t called upon, no men of great reputation or close relationship with Christ, but a seemingly random bystander, of a different race.

Who is Simon?

Simon is an African, probably black man from Cyrene, near Libya.

The Bible tells us that Simon was “coming out of the country”, he did not live in Jerusalem, perhaps he was going to offer a lamb for a sacrifice, perhaps on some other business.

He just happened to be standing there, caught by circumstance in the very place where Jesus would need him.

Why wouldn't God just send supernatural strength to Jesus to carry the cross? Why not have angels carry the cross?

He uses men. That’s true. He does nothing outside of what He does by men. We realize that. He, that’s His agent. That’s what He chose. Why, I don’t know. He could, made the sun to preach the Gospel. He could make the wind to preach the Gospel. He could make the wind to do things, but He chose men.

That was His idea, that human would speak back, through human; not hisself, but, “The Word of the Lord came to the prophets,” the prophesiers, the preachers. And a prophesier that denies the original Word, how can he be a true prophet? See? He can’t be, because he is denying the Truth of the Word. 63-1110M - "Souls That Are In Prison Now"

He hides Himself behind skin and using the space created by their weakness He fulfills His Word.

Without someone there to carry the cross the scripture could not be fulfilled.

(Psa 22:14) I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

(Psa 22:15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

(Psa 22:16) For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

(Psa 22:17) I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

(Psa 22:18) They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

But notice Jesus in the last hour, or two, of His life, many, many prophecies was fulfilled. Someone said to me, “Brother Branham, this has to happen, and that has to happen.” I said, “It could happen in an hour.” If you will read the 22nd Psalm, and then watch His dying hour at the cross, I just forget now how many outstanding prophecies was fulfilled in the last two or three hours of His life! Certainly, “They pierced My feet and My hands. My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” and so forth, as David cried it. 57-0420 - The Entombment

He could have called ten thousand angels to carry His cross, but He chose Simon the Cyrene.

When the body of Christ fell on the via dalarosa, Simon was there to carry His cross.

I don’t want great fortune or fame, just let me be there when your body is weak, let me be a bystander who is compelled to take up the cross.

Simon was not there by chance. You were not placed in your family by chance. In God’s great drama, you play a part. Some have to be the high priests, some have to be the guards, some are disciples, and some carry His cross.

171 In His army, He presents His army in the form of five offices, first, apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists. That’s His army, that’s His soldiers, that’s His commanding officers, all with the baptism of the Holy Ghost, waiting out there to meet the enemy on any grounds he comes upon, to meet the enemy with the Word of God. Amen. Each one backing one another up, with Him, the Chief Captain, not out there in front, up here above, back behind, but in them. Amen. That’s the army. Vindicating. Vindicating what? His resurrection, by the proof of His works.

172 John 14:12, Jesus said, “He that believeth in Me, the works that I do shall he do also.” What is it? It’s God in the Church in these five predestinated offices, backing up every Word that He said with the Holy Spirit Himself in there, which is the Word made manifest, proving His resurrection, proving that He lives. 62-0701 - "To Take On The Whole Armor Of God"

He compels His servants to fulfill His Word.

65 Now, Jesus’ corporal body is setting at the right hand of God in the majesty in high as a sin offering. And then His Spirit that was in that body has come back into predestined, foreordained offices in the church, that you touch God the same way through these bodies, that’s not in their own self not worthy, sure not. But they don’t stand in their own righteousness; they stand in the robe of the Lord Jesus, in His righteousness, to declare His works. 56-1004 - "A Wedding Supper"

We have each been called to carry His cross. (Not just prophets or preachers)

(Luk 9:23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

(Gal 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Because I have been compelled by His choosing to carry the cross, every day I voluntarily die to my own will, for the will of my father.

(Mat 10:38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Each person’s cross is different because each one has a different purpose.

Don’t turn your wife down ’cause she’s got a little temper. Maybe that’s your cross. God might’ve give it to kinda keep you lined up: same thing with you women to your husbands. Stick together: promised God you would, so stay with it. 56-0615 - An Exodus

A preachers wife’s cross to bear is often her husband’s ministry.Moses and Zephora.

105 And what a mix-up the people has got in, today, that, think that, that Christianity is one of the softest things. “All they do is put their name on a book, and have somebody to sprinkle them, or something another, and give the minister the right hand of fellowship. And that’s all there is to it. Go on out.” That’s not Christianity.

106 Christianity is self-denial. “Take up your cross daily. Follow Him.” Die out, to the things of the world. 63-0607 - Be Not Afraid

To take up your cross is humbling yourself to the vision God has for your life.

Rich Young Ruler.

(Mar 10:21) Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

(Mar 10:22) And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

The message of the hour did not match the vision he had for his life.

He did not carry the cross, so he could not receive the reward.

He was not willing to do what it takes to be saved, until it was too late.

To carry the cross is to have a lamb nature.

(Isa 53:7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

A lamb is born without the ability to take care of himself, or even to survive without help.

His nature is to be led, and he learns to follow his Master’s voice.

All that he has is wool. He can’t make himself produce it, and he gives it up willingly.

When it comes time to die he lays there and offers himself, he has complete trust in the shepherd.

Simon the Cyrene was a lamb, and he proved it by being obedient to God’s will.

This may not be what I had intended to do with my life, but this is what is needed, this is what I will do. Not my will but thine, be done.

What happened to Simon?

What happened at that intersection changed the trajectory of Simon’s life.

(Mar 15:21) And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

These two names were so well known to the Christian church that Mark doesn’t even have to explain who they are.

(Rom 16:13) Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Do you want to change the story of your family? Carry your cross. Do you want to make a difference? Break generational curses? Pick up your cross.

Simon so changed his family’s history that nearly 2000 years later when Bro. Branham prayed for a blind girl in Jonesboro, Arkansas he reminded God that she was one of Simon’s children. Over and over gain when he prayed for folks of African descent he spoke of Simon.

(Cleft lip baby in Africa)

Picking up the cross brings lasting success, not momentary fame. The cross doesn’t look like success.

The figure of the Crucified invalidates all thought which takes success for its standard. Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

(Luk 17:10) So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

I can not do for him what he did for me, but I will stand by Him unashamed.

(Rom 8:17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

(Rom 8:18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

(Php 1:29) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

(2Ti 2:11) It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

(2Ti 2:12) If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

All of us have something to do.

Bro. Branham did what He was born to do.

418 Just what I’ve seen in my own ministry, seen Him done, you couldn’t pile the volumes on this platform here. If I wrote it in details what I seen Him do just in my own ministry, seen Him do it. See? He had more success in my ministry than He did in His Own. Now, remember, He had more success now, not me; He had. Glory! Hallelujah!

419 He had more success in Jeffersonville than He did in Nazareth. He did in that wicked city and this wicked city. Amen! Glory! Cause, “He could perform no miracles there,” but He did here. He finally broke through, here. He got it done here. He might have had to get people somewhere else, but He got it done, anyhow. So, He had more success right here than He did in Capernaum or Nazareth, in that. He done more miracles right here in this tabernacle than He did in the entire ministry on earth. That’s right, He did it. Now what about the rest of the world? Oh, my! Now that’s what He done.

420 Now remember, “He” done. Now, it never said I done it, see, no, ’cause I didn’t do it. I just didn’t. I just loved Him and just submitted myself to Him, and said what He said, and the Holy Spirit went to the other people and they believed what He said, and then He done the work. That’s all.

63-0901m - "Token"

What did it take to get that out of His life? Look at his attitude.

O God, have mercy. I just think back across the streaks of tears and heartaches and troubles, O Father, and I’m ashamed of all of my life. Why didn’t I know You before? And I’ve tried with all my heart, dear Jesus, to live for You, to do the thing, no matter what this cross is, or how scornful it seems to be. I love You, dear Jesus, You’ve broken my heart over and over, but I love You for it.

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Conclusion.

Tell story of woman with drunk husband.

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,

And all the world go free?

No, there’s a cross for everyone,

And there’s a cross for me.

The consecrated cross I’ll bear

Till death shall set me free;

And then go home my crown to wear,

For there’s a crown for me.

O precious cross! O glorious crown!

O resurrection day!

When Christ the Lord from heav’n comes down

And bears my soul away.

Originally written:

Must Simon bear the cross alone, And other saints be free? Each saint of thine shall find his own And there is one for me.

Thomas Shepherd