God's Got Your Back

I. Text Mark 15:21-22

II. God’s Got My Back

A. The cross was heavy, some estimates say they weighed as much as 300 pounds…made up of a cross beam and a veritical beam. Jesus was carrying a lot. He got to point where he couldn’t carrying it by himself.

B. There are times when you feel like no one understands how much you’re carrying. You feel like all that you’re about to drop if you don’t get some help…God wants you to know he’s got your back.

C. When I was a child…got caught up in fight. My older cousin some conflict with a neighbor and they knew I was related…so since they didn’t want to deal with my cousin... the conflict out on me. They were older, stronger and bigger so the neighbors ran down the block and my mom/cousin found out about it…and by the time I reach the front door…they were walking by me. I don’t recall many words but I saw wooden stick in my mothers hand and a wooden shoe in my cousins hand…and it was clear to me without saying a word…I got your back.

III. God-Background

A. He’s been beat, back exposed. The scouraging…was designed to humiliate him, they used a cat o nine tails that inflicts enough damage to the boby…that it alone can kill a man…and to add insult to injury…the loss of blood left him dehydrated and they offer him sour wine which would be equivalent to pouring alcohol on an open wound.

B. But Between Mark 15:20 mock, beating and Mark 15:23 bitter drink, Simon is compelled to carry the cross…despite the everything Jesus went God sent a little reminder…you are not alone I got your back.

IV. I hear but I don’t feel like He’s got it…to covered you’re going to have make three sacrifices...

A. Don’t reject outside support

B. Don’t be afraid to show pain

C. Don’t forget to share the experience

V. There was something heavier than the cross

A. Simon is an African outsider…just happened to be in the crowd. Coming in from the country.

B. Forgive me yall but where are the disciples, what about the 5000 he fed, the 4000, the lepers, the blind man, the deaf…all the people he healed and the only person close enough to help is a black man who just happened to be in the crowd.

C. When the gravy train stops, no more getting wine for the party, paying for fish dinners, working a miracles when you can’t provide the way you used to…people not there for you the way you took care of them

D. Don’t worry about who didn’t show up or complain about after all you’ve done for people…little John didn’t call because while you looking back you overlook who’s on your path.

D. Sometimes God chooses to use people outside of your circle to make it clear that He’s got your back. We make some people substitute Saviors…we depend on them so much that we miss the opportuity to see God work in new wasys.It’s not that they don’t but it’s too easy for someone else to steal his glory or feel like you owe them a favor....because what you’re carrying is so heavy that it’s not about who thought was supposed to be their for you but who’s assigned to be there for you.

VI. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable

At some point on the climb to Golgotha…Jesus couldn’t bear it any further and when Simon took the cross…Jesus doesn’t take it back and say i got it

Some of the weight is tied to unspoken love for being a victim or letting get in the way…so we complain about everything we got to do because we get our validation from it and then we don’t let any carry the weight because it will ruin our complaint.

Some stuff you just need to let fall. You’ll be surprised who God sends to carry it the rest of the way. Fighting for a home or car or even a relationship…stressing you out of your mind. Some things if you allow to drop, God can step in and show that he has your back. Jesus doesn’t hide his pain, his back, weakness is on full display

VIII. Don’t forget to share the experience

a. Simon a North African brother...

b. Why am I even going through all this? Jesus wasn’t just showing weakness he was actually teaching a source of strength.  

Our burdens and struggles are what moves God from the man upstairs to God who heals. Too often too many only know a generic Jesus…the pain allows to Jesus for real. It’s one perspective in the crowd…Simon may even thought man that looks like a heavy cross. But when got up under it. I’m sure that some of the blood that was on Jesus back transfered to the cross and now Simon is carrying the cross and also covered by blood.

This whole encounter is written to be shared…how would anyone know God’s got your back unless you carry something that breaks you…and somehow you survive

And the reason you can be so loving is because you know how hard it is to kick a habit, battle with anger

I because you know from first hand experience…and I can tell anyone that never would have made it without you...

Closing illustration: backpacks

In 1938, when Gerry Outdoors invented the first backpack with a zipper, backpacks were still primarily in use for hiking, camping and alpine recreation. Between the 1930s and ‘60s, some kids also made use of canvas or leather bags with a single strap, miniature briefcases that were usually called satchels, for trips to and from school

The purpose of the backpack shifted from climbing to school. You’ve wonder why do I have to carry all this weight…God didn’t give it to punish you but he’s giving you the experience so that he school you…you aren’t just going through but you can teach and someone....GOD’S GOT YOUR BACK.

God has your back so you can get

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us

Testimony: Impact

Galatians 6:2-5

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

2 Cor. 1:4

He learned our weakness and obedience…so he can empathize. He absolutely knows what you’re carrying because he carried your pain in this moment. God is a sadistic observer sitting on a throne watching you struggle. Part of the reason his son came was get to know us personally…

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3

They told Jesus save yourself