Today is Good Friday. How many words could be written on different aspects of Good Friday? There is no way to fully exhaust the significance of the cross. I won’t try to delve into the meaning of the cross, the significance of the death of Jesus, or even all the ancillary aspects of the story of the whole of the passion of Jesus Christ. I do want to briefly mention one thing though.

SIMON OF CYRENE

Why do you think somebody else, Simon of Cyrene, was demanded to carry the cross of Jesus? Was it really happenstance? Was it because Jesus had been so brutally beaten that He was unable to carry the cross Himself? I don’t think so. It seems to me that everything concerning the last week Jesus' life was precise. In fact, most of it fulfilled prophetic scripture from the Old Testament. There were layers of meaning to everything, or so it seems to me. And I don’t think the fact that Simon carried the cross is any different.

I don’t know if there was significance to it being Simon, or if it means anything that he was from Cyrene, and I don’t think Jesus was faking when He fell. There is no doubt Jesus physically was weakened from all He had been through that carrying the cross was beyond His physical strength. And Simon was just there. He was standing close by when Jesus fell, but I don’t think it was random, or a chance event. I think it was purposed by the divine will of God.

A CROSS FOR EVERYONE

I believe God was picturing forever an eternal truth for us which Jesus taught during His ministry. This truth is one many of us have sung throughout the years, but has been largely cast aside by the Church in our day. The words to the hymn are:

“Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free? No, there’s a cross for everyone, and there’s a cross for me.”

The words of Jesus are: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” The picture God gave us on Good Friday is that His will is for someone to carry the cross of Jesus for Him, in front of a watching world. Perhaps without understanding the full significance of the eternal truth he was embodying, Simon carried the cross of Jesus.

Simon was meant to be the first to carry the cross, not the last.

Ash Wednesday

As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.

Being Connected

Despite being more technologically linked than ever, studies now show loneliness and disconnection are at an all-time high. How does this trend truly affect your spiritual life and personal connection with God?

Maintaining a Life of Integrity

Every believer agrees that maintaining our integrity is one of best things we could for our spiritual life, but does it have to be so difficult. Read more to find out how to build consistency with maintaining your integrity.

Who You Are When No One is Looking

In a broken world that is constantly trying to bring us down, striving for genuine righteousness throughout our lives is not easy, but the good news is… it is possible.

Five Things You May Not Know About the Lord’s Prayer

Do you Pray “The Prayer?” This prayer unites Christians in all parts of the world. Though the Lord’s Prayer is well known to believers everywhere, when you look hard at its words, you can learn from how this prayer can guide and impact your daily life.

The Cross

The cross casts the most significant shadow in all of human history. It is where we see the righteousness, justice, and love of God working together for our great good. This Easter, our thoughts are centered around the cross, upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.

Lion and the Lamb

The scriptures speak of Jesus in extremes, as both the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. The most important thing to remember is that Jesus is always able to be exactly what you need!

An Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Everyone has their own opinion about what has happened at the events sounding the revival at Asbury University. But it is hard to deny there is truly a movement of God taking place.

Every Day Wednesday

Every day seems to be a special day full of fun and joy. But what about the normal and routine days? When every day feels less-than-momentous, and things get tough our faith can grow even bigger!