Jesus Needed Help With His Cross
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· 118 viewsWhat we can learn from the story of Jesus and Simon carrying His cross
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Intro: One of the more difficult aspects of the crucifixion for me is the story of carrying the cross to Golgotha. After Jesus was convicted by Pilate and condemned to crucifixion, He was required to carry his own cross, a common practice – – yet later Simon had to carry it – – shows that Jesus was apparently unable to bear the cross alone – .
And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.
And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.
I) We need help with our crosses
I) We need help with our crosses
Jesus set the example for us – – including needing help to take up our cross –
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
We should not be embarrassed to need help, Satan is stronger than us – – we will fail without help –
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
It takes humility, wisdom, and selflessness to admit our need and ask for help –
II) Where to find help
II) Where to find help
Friends – ;
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Bible – – written to give us hope – – everything we need
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Prayer – – with persistence – – confidence – – for peace
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
III) We must help others with their crosses
III) We must help others with their crosses
As Peter’s friends did –
So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Fulfill the law of Christ – ; – by helping those in need –
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Strengthen the entire body – ; ; – one of the most important purposes of local churches
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Return the kindness and generosity of others – ;
At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”
Concl: We should not be ashamed to admit our need for help, it is a strength to recognize our weaknesses and seek support to overcome them.