Misc. - "The Power of the Cross" - Mark 15:21

“The Power of the Cross”

Blessing in disguise...

In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon reaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand, every obstacle is really an opportunity in disguise.

Imagine you are on the streets of Jerusalem on Good Friday.

Imagine you are watching the miracle worker on His way to execution.

What does the Lord want us to learn from Simon carrying Jesus’ cross?

Mark 15:16–21 KJV 1900

And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. 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.

As we go into Easter, what does the Lord want us to see this morning from the actions of Simon the Cyrenian?

1. The Imperative for the Cyrenian

The Holy Spirit wanted us to KNOW something about this detail in verse 21.

There are many characters on the way to the cross… people directly and indirectly involved in the death of Jesus.

Compel means to “force or oblige to do something” or “to call into service”

Even the language indicates

Begin to paint the picture of the scene Simon walked up on. Jesus making his way out of the city… Simon iS COMMANDED to pick up Jesus’ cross.

Imperatives from God should never be met with anything less than obedience.

And yet, many of us respond to God’s commands with excuses.

What excuses could Simon have made?

a) Agenda

I’ve prepared and walked

The average human walks 3.1 miles per hour...

that would have taken 10 days without stopping.

At the end of a trip, the last thing i want to do is pick up a bloody execution tool.

Say it again...

And yet, our agenda sometimes conflicts with our obedience to God’s call.

b) Allegiances

In “Knowing God” by J.I. Packer, he mentions that anything outside of the Word can lead to idolatry.

He uses Aaron and the Israelites as an example...

Moses went up on the mountain.

They knew God wasn’t an actual cow… but that’s the image they THOUGHT best pictured Him.

Here’s the thing:

Many of us do the same thing.

We worship a Jesus we make up in our head, or have seen portrayed

Revelation 19:11–15 KJV 1900

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

c) Ambitions

God I have a good plan.

Intentions

“I’ll serve the Lord after I get married and have kids.”

But Simon didn’t… he picked up the cross, and followed after Jesus.

2. The Illustration for the Christian

Mark 8:34 KJV 1900

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 14:27 KJV 1900

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Be careful not to make up your mind too quickly here.

“Oh, Hayden is clearly telling me to go get a cross and carry it around with me each day. Does he not pay attention to the lumber prices?? The nerve of that guy to tell me… ahh and he already asked me to lead a Grow Group, WHERE DOES IT END WITH THIS GUY?!”

We must recognize that carrying our cross is not an action to tac onto our lives, it’s the source of where our actions begin!

Jesus is not interested in behavior modification alone.

So what is this about?

a) Posture

Do I have a posture of a Christ follower?

did you know that the criminals were called to carry their cross all the way to their execution?

Who was the guilty one?

“It’s about having a posture of dependence.”

“It’s also about having a posture of denial.”

If you say, “It’s not about me” and it’s followed by a conjunction, chances are you don’t have the right posture.

b) Participation

Do I participate as a Christ follower?

Denied Himself

Direction

Desires

c) Perspective

Do I have a perspective of a Christ follower?

“follow Me...”

He’s leading me somewhere, and it doesn’t quite make sense yet, but I trust Him.

Think about Simon, he was probalby thinking: “I came to the city for the passover lamb,” not even realizing he was with the true Lamb.”

“Why am I having to carry this instrument of death...” not even realizing quite yet that he was carrying the instrument that would give him life.

“Why am I having to carry this bloody cross.. I’m not going to be able to partake in the passover with these stains on me.” without realizing the blood on him was what made him clean.

“Why am I

Sometimes, we look like we’re doing a noble and good deed when we’re really hurting our kids.

I’ve hit this hard a lot of times, and I want to be clear. Sports, dance, pageants, school… those things are not bad.

When they come in place of Jesus they are bad. Why? because I ball wasn’t nailed to the cross for you, Jesus was.

Can I tell you when you might be using the excuse of “your kids are with you” instead of carrying your cross?

Look at the kind of questions or statements you make to your kids after an event.

Is it, “did your stats look good today?” or is it “Who did you show the love of God to on the field today?”

3. The Impact on the Church

This sermon is a simple call and invitation to be a part of the work of Jesus...

it’s easy to see that, I believe. But the question remains, is it worth it?

Consistently carrying your cross, in order for Jesus

It impacted:

a. Believers

Where did Mark mention that Simon was from? - Cyrene.

Cyrene is in north Africa in modern day Lybia.

You know, Mark could have very easily left this out, but I believe the Holy Spirit wanted us to learn something about carrying the cross of Jesus! Look what happens in the early part of the church.

Acts 2:10 says that men from Cyrene heard Peter’s sermon and believed.

Acts 11:20–26 KJV 1900

And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

We’ve talked about the Cross breaking comfort, and believing commands, but I want to ask the question: Is it worth it?

b. His Boys

Turn with me to Romans Romans 16:13, Mark ministered primarily in the Roman world, so mentioning names in Mark 15 were significant. Why? He brought up a man that would become a premier leader in the church - Rufus.

I wonder what did it.

I just wonder if at the end of him carrying this cross if Jesus didn’t look up at him with love in His eyes and say, “Thank you.”

I wonder what did it.

Did the weight of the cross cause him to go back to Rufus and Alexander and say, “that was heavier than I thought it would be.” “Yeah dad, it was a big piece of wood.” .... “no, there was an extra weight on that...”

“and you know boys, that Man was different.”

Did he stay around those 6 hours?

Or maybe he and his boys went to the temple the next day and saw the temple veil torn half in two.

Maybe that Sunday they were there and heard of a man that had rose from the grave.

Acts 2:10 Maybe it was at Pentecost when their hearts were opened.

However it happened, we have reason to believe that Simon, Alexander, and Rufus were converted.

How? The cross.

“Daddy, thank you for carrying the cross. Mom, thank you for carrying the cross.”

“Hallelujah, Thank You, Jesus. I was a prisoner now I’m not. Cause with Your blood You bought my freedom. Hallelujah for the cross. By Your strips I’m healed. By Your death I live, the power of sin is overcome, it is finished it is done.

There are a lot of Christians that will say, “Thank you Jesus for the cross, for setting me free!” But not many will say, “Jesus I want to be used, where can I pick up my cross?”

Closing:

As of last night, I had another message ready to preach. But I believe God sent me and kept me here for someone.

Here’s the thing about a cross, if you are actually carrying one, people notice it, and it’s work.

Do people notice you holding onto anything?

Do people see you working out your faith?

Maybe tonight is the night you’ll finally surrender in your heart and say, “Lord, I’ll grab my cross. No more excuses. I want to die so a life will live through me.”