And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear His cross. Matthew 26:32
They compelled Simon of Cyrene to bear His cross. It seems, at first, He carried the cross Himself, as Isaac carried the wood for the burnt-offering, which was to burn him. And this was intended as other things, both for pain and shame to Him. But after awhile they took the cross off from Him, either-
1. In compassion to Him, because they saw it was too great a load for Him. We can hardly think that they had any consideration of that yet it teaches us that God considers the frame of His people and will not suffer them to be tempted above what they are able; He gives them some breathing-time, but they must expect that the cross will return and the lucid intervals only give them space to prepare for the next fit.
2. Perhaps it was because He could not, with the cross on His back, go forward so fast as they would have Him.
3. They were afraid, lest He should faint away under the load of His cross, and die, and so prevent what their malice further intended to do against Him.
Taking the cross off from Him, they compelled one Simon of Cyrene, to bear it, pressing him to the service by the authority of the governor or the priests. Some think Simon was a disciple of Christ, at least a well-wisher to Him, and they knew it and therefore put this upon him.
All that will approve themselves disciples indeed, must follow Christ, bearing His cross, bearing His reproach. (Matthew Henry)
I decided around Easter; to study Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. I tend to go with the first theory; not that the people had any compassion, but God using this as an example to us. God giving us some "breathing-time" when things are becoming too much for us to handle. This also showed me how important it is to really know what is in God's word. Some have asked, why did Judas sell Jesus out for thirty pieces of silver, when it was predicted all through the Old Testament? Didn't he know what was in God's word--no he didn't.
1 comment:
I like that... breathing-time.
Sometimes when I read in the Old Testament, it feels so hard, too much to bear or live up to, with such dire consequences. But then I read in the New Testament. And like today's reading about the prodigal son... and the Father had compassion, even while the returning son was still a way's off...
The concept of breathing-room sounds like that to me... of compassion.
Loretta
=^..^=
Post a Comment