THE FIFTH STATION: SIMON HELPS JESUS TO CARRY THE CROSS

As they led him away, they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. Luke 23:26

For Jesus it wasn’t enough that he was enduring tremendous suffering for us because of our sin as he journeyed to the cross: He was teaching us by His example about carrying our own crosses. He didn’t carry the burden of the cross alone — he had Simon to help him.

Every one of us has crosses we carry — some visible and some hidden. It could be that the person who was impatient with you today is suffering from a severe health issue and is just doing the best she can to get through the day. Maybe the person next to you who is acting strangely is grieving from the loss of a loved one and struggles just to get out of bed each day. The person you noticed sneaking food may be struggling financially and finding it hard to provide for his family and himself. Many times, God calls us, like Simon, to be the one to help others carry their cross. When we step up and lighten someone’s burden, we share in carrying the cross of Jesus and grow in our relationship with God. Unlike Simon, who was made to help carry the cross for Jesus, are you willingly ready to help others?