Under the Weight of the Cross

Excerpted from Follow Jesus on the Stations of the Cross

The weight of the cross of Christ was staggering -- only the Lord Jesus could carry it for us. No one else could endure all that abuse and, worst of all, take onto himself humanity's sins of murder, incest, pride, greed, and every other hideously shameful evil. What an enormous burden he carried to reconcile us to the Father!

In the third station of the ancient Stations of the Cross we meditate on Jesus carrying his cross and falling under it’s weight (which is implied in Mark 15:21-22CloseMark 15:21-22 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene,* was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means "Place of the Skull"). OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). Think of this as Jesus falling in prayer to Abba for our sake like he did in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42CloseMark 14:32-42 They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, "Sit here while I go and pray." He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. "Abba, Father,"* he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Couldn't you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn't keep their eyes open. And they didn't know what to say. When he returned to them the third time, he said, "Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let's be going. Look, my betrayer is here!" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

In the garden Jesus was in such travail that he sweat drops of blood and three times he cried out to Abba for help. But don't think he's trying to get out of going to the cross. No. He's trying to make it to the cross! Time and again Jesus told his disciples that he was going to the cross to suffer and die for them and all people. Just days before he went to the cross he said: “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” (John 12:27-28CloseJohn 12:27-28 "Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, `Father, save me from this hour'? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name."  Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, "I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Our opportunity is to follow in Jesus' steps. This begins with responding to his invitation to his sleepy disciples: “Watch and pray with me. Your heart wants to do what is good, but in your natural abilities you are weak so you must fall to your knees in prayer. Join me now and fall into Abba's arms so that you don't fall into sin later” (Matthew 26:51CloseMatthew 26:51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest's slave, slashing off his ear. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , paraphrase).

Reflect and Pray

What burden is weighing you down? Is there a struggle or sin that’s caused you to fall? In view of your burden watch and pray with Jesus...

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Holy One of God and yet even you fell down under the weight of your cross. You were jeered, mocked, spat upon, and whipped, but you rose again to carry your cross for us to Calvary.

Often we fall down as we carry the weight of our cross, especially in times of trial and temptation. Thank you Jesus that you are always there to lift us up lead us forward. Please strengthen us to keep following you and to overcome our trials. Remind us that we are not alone, that you help us to carry our burdens, and you lead us into Abba's arms of love.

Abide in Christ

Try the Breath Prayer: “With Jesus... I fall into Abba’s arms.” (Inspired by Mark 14:36CloseMark 14:36 "Abba, Father,"* he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) and Romans 8:15CloseRomans 8:15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.* Now we call him, "Abba, Father."* OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) .) Breathe in, “With Jesus...” Breathe out, “I fall into Abba’s arms.” Slowly repeat this to let the words live in your heart.