Must Jesus Bear His Cross Alone?

Mark 15:15-26

Introduction

These verses give us, in glaring detail, the events surrounding the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. We read the Gospel account of the pain and agony our Lord endured for us that night and day of which He suffered for the sins of humanity. Often, we read this account and our hearts are stirred to think of what He did for us that day. Yet, too often we read these words and fail to catch the small details that make this story come alive for us. In this passage, one of those small details presents itself for us to look at this morning.

In verse 21, we read of a man named Simon the Cyrenian. He is mentioned here as well as in Matthew and Luke. He appears on the pages of our Bible out of nowhere and just as quickly as he appears, he is gone again, However, while he appears in our vision, he teaches us a valuable lesson about the love of God and about a man's love for our Savior.

This man did for our Savior what even His closest disciples were unable to do. That is, he eased our Lord's suffering during one of the darkest hours of His earthly ministry. You see, it was Simon Peter who said, “Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.” Luke 22:33. Yet, when the time came to follow Jesus unto death, peter, like the rest of the disciples forsook Him and fled, Mark 14:50.

Let's take a few minutes this morning to look into this account of Simon the Cyrenian and ask ourselves the question, Must Jesus Bear His Cross Alone? I wonder if we are willing to bear the cross behind our Savior as Simon did.

I. We See Our Savior Condemned

A. His Crime (v. 26)

“And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

According to this verse, Jesus was accused of claiming to be the King of the Jews. In reality, Jesus was going to the cross because it was part of his Father's plan, Rev. 13:8. From a human standpoint, Jesus was condemned because He was godly and because He taught men the truth about worshiping and serving God. The only crime that Jesus was guilty of was the crime of loving sinners and showing them the way to come to God.

B. His Condemnation (v. 15-20)

These verses tell us of how our Lord was abused by Pilate's soldiers. Among other things, they scourged Him, spit upon Him, beat Him with their hands, crowned Him with a crown of thorns, clothed Him in a scarlet robe, mocked Him, and beat Him over the head with a reed. Yet, Jesus endured all these things without uttering a word, Isa. 53:7.

Let us not forget this morning that Jesus endured all that He did because He did not want you and me going to Hell. He endured the worst that man could do to Him and He suffered it all because He loved us more than He loved His own life! What a glorious demonstration of the love of God for sinners - Rom. 5:8; John 15:13.

C. His Crucifixion (v. 22-25)

After they had abused our Lord and after He had endured an entire night of brutal treatment, they lead Him away to be crucified. Our modern minds cannot comprehend the brutality of the death that Jesus endured for us. We get our word "excruciating” it comes from the same word which we get the word cross. It was a death so harsh and so terrible that it was reserved for the lowest of slaves. In fact, a Roman citizen could not be crucified, except by direct decree of Caesar himself. Therefore, we see that Jesus Christ, a man Who has expended His life in the service of others, a man Who "did no sin”, a man Who harmed no one, but helped all who came to Him and was condemned to die the death of the vilest and most hated slave.

Do I need to remind you how horrible His death was? Isa. 52:14 tells us that “His visage was so marred, more than any man.” Imagine the agony of having nails driven through your hands and feet. Imagine the torment of feeling nerve against iron. Imagine the agony as His body is wracked with spasms that slam His lacerated back against the cross. Imagine the swelling of His head from the thorns that were driven into His head.

Imagine Him having to push against the nails in His feet, while He pulled against the nails under His hands just to get a breath of air to say, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”, or “Today, shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Imagine the thirst! Imagine the shame of His nakedness. Imagine the loneliness of His death, as His disciples, with the exception of John were gone and even His own Father turned away from Him. Imagine what it would have been like that day to see this man die this death and know that it all happened because He loved you and wanted to make a way for you to be saved. Imagine that kind of love!

Certainly, the death of Jesus is the centerpiece of this passage, however, there is more for us to see here today. We have caught a glimpse of Jesus, now, let's look at this man named Simon.

II. We See Simon Compelled

A. His Scheme

We do not know much about this man named Simon. All we know about him is that he was from Cyrene which was located in Africa. We know that he was in Jerusalem at the time of the Passover, so it stands to reason that he must have been a Jewish proselyte. If this were the case, he was probably traveling with his family. This man, an African, probably a man of color was in this place to worship. He had come to offer a Passover Lamb and now he comes face to face with the Lamb of God!

What a picture of grace! Just like Simon, I was minding my own business when I came face to face with the Lord. I didn't know anything about Him, but He was looking for me!

B. His Selection

The Word of the Lord tells us that they “compelled” Simon to carry the Lord's Cross. This word means to “press into public service”. It seems that Roman soldiers could enlist civilians to do certain tasks for them. People were required by Roman law to obey, or they could be put to death. Jesus seems to mention this practice in Matthew 5:41.

C. His Shame

Perhaps one of the reasons the soldiers pressed Simon into this service was the color of his skin. You see, it was considered the most degrading act imaginable to carry the cross of a condemned man. No soldier wanted to do it, and the soldiers probably would not have chosen anyone who was obviously Jewish to do it on the eve of their Passover.

To have carried this cross would have branded that person and would have rendered them ceremonially unclean. For Simon, the Passover was over the minute he touched the cross. The word “compel” carries with it the idea of force. Perhaps it was the threat of death that caused this African to pick up the Lord’s cross and carry it. Regardless of the circumstances, from the moment Simon touched the cross, he was a marked man!

What a picture for those of us who claim to be Christians! Did you realize that the cross of Christ is still associated with shame?, (Heb. 12:2). Jesus said that one of the marks of His disciples was that they had a willingness and a desire to carry the cross, Matt. 16:24. This passage makes it clear that those who follow Jesus must be willing to deny themselves, take up that cross and follow Him.

Please note that the steps of Jesus led Him to death before they led Him to glory! The same may be true of you and me! For sure, bearing the cross will bring the reproach of the world, 1 Cor. 1:18, but a willingness to bear the cross behind the Lord will bring the smile of God!

Just as a condemned criminal was forced to carry his cross to show the world that he was under and submissive to the rules he once rebelled against, so the born again believer must bear the cross of Christ, which is self-denial, to show the world that we are now submissive to the rule of the One that we formerly rebelled against. This may mean that we have to walk out of step with the world.

III. We See a Sinner Converted

A. The Providence of God

It was no accident that Simon and his family were passing through Jerusalem at that precise moment. In fact, I believe that it was the providence of the Lord that allowed his path to cross that of our Lord Jesus Christ. I can't understand all the workings of our Lord, but I do know that He has a way of bringing people to Him that needs to be saved. Remember the woman at the well, John 4:4-29? Remember the Ethiopian Eunuch, Acts 8:26-39? Apparently, God used this event to bring about the salvation of Simon. God brought a seeker together with the Savior!

Remember how the providence of God worked in your life to bring you to Jesus. It was no accident that you were brought to Him! It was the providence and the grace of God!

B. The Power of God

Mark mentions Alexander and Rufus. These names must have been familiar to the Christians to which he was writing. Later, when Paul was closing His letter to the Romans, he mentions Rufus and the mother of Rufus. Even going so far as to adopt her as his own mother, Rom. 16:13. It is evident that something happened in the hearts of Simon and his family as they watched the Lord dying at Calvary that day. Whatever took place, God used this event to change Simon and his family forever! What a picture of God’s grace !

You and I never saw Jesus die on the cross. We were not pressed into service to carry His cross that day. However, if you are saved, there came a day when you, just like Simon, came face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ. You may not have seen Him dying, but you knew that you needed what He had to give. When you believed in Him by faith, you were changed just like Simon and his family. What a difference Jesus makes in our lives!

Conclusion

As I bring these thoughts together this morning, I need to ask you this question: Are you saved today? Are you trusting in Jesus, and Jesus alone for your salvation? Like Simon, are you bearing the Lord's cross and following Him through life, gladly bearing the shame and reproach of His great Name? If you are lost, you can be saved today. If you are saved, but you have allowed things to creep into your life that are not pleasing to the Lord, you can be cleaned up today. If you would be totally honest and admit that you aren't really bearing the cross. You are just kind of sliding through life and really aren't living for Jesus in a serious, heart commitment, well, there's hope for you too. Whatever your need, I invite you to come to Jesus and get it settled forever. Must Jesus bear His cross alone? Not if you and I will fall in with Him and join Him in a life that is totally committed and sold out to Him.