Would you be willing to carry the cross of Jesus? Would you do it out of fear for your life? Would you do it to lessen his burden? Perhaps, then, you relate to Simon from Cyrene.
A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then "'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (Luke 23:27-31 NIV)
Would you mourn what was being done to Jesus? Weeping is not just a feminine thing. When he lost his friend, Lazaraus, Jesus wept. Would watching his treatment that day bring you to tears? Would you mourn the loss of your friend? Perhaps, then, you relate to the ones who mourned.
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is God's Messiah, the Chosen One." The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Luke 23:32-38 NIV)
Do you wish Jesus and the stories about him would just die? Are you ready for all this "religious stuff" to be over so you can get back to your life? Perhaps, then, you relate to the people who stood watching.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:39-43 NIV)
Are you like the first criminal, unrepentant of your sins? Do you wish people would stop using demeaning terms like "sin" to describe how you live your life? Do you lash out at God for not allowing you to live like you want? Perhaps, then, you relate to the first criminal.
On the other hand, do you recognize when you break God's law as sin: an affront to God? Do you see your sin as deserving death? Are you repentant of that sin? Do you desire a new life with God? Then, you are like the second criminal who is with Jesus in paradise.
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:44-46 NIV)
Are you willing to lay down your life for others? Do you forgive even those who set themselves up as your greatest enemy? Do you respond to anger with compassion, hate with love? Perhaps, then, you relate most to Jesus.
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. (Luke 23:47-49 NIV)
Do you let God change your mind through the circumstances in your life? Do see God at work and allow Him to show you what He is doing? Do you let God bring you from a lack of faith to finally believing? Perhaps you relate to the centurion.
Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. (Luke 23:50-53 NIV)
Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? Even though that belief is shouted down by crowds that are larger than you and people who are more influential than you, do you hold on to that faith? Do you look for opportunities to live out your faith? Are you available to God to do your part(s) of His Plan? Perhaps, then, you relate to Joseph of Arimathea.
It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. (Luke 23:54-56 NIV)
When Jesus was finally laid in the tomb, how would you have felt? Which person do you most identify with? Would you have started the day believing in him? How would you have ended your day? How would the death of Jesus affected you?
When Jesus was finally laid in the tomb, how would you have felt? Which person do you most identify with? Would you have started the day believing in him? How would you have ended your day? How would the death of Jesus affected you?
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