Nougat 13

A week ago, at a staff event, my colleague shared a reflection from ‘Minjung theology’ (a Korean context-based approach to studying God’s Word). It posited Jesus as the one beaten up and left for dead in the parable of the Good Samaritan. I don’t know why, but I was immediately transported to Jesus’ Second triumphant entry. My first thought was ‘could the parable have been a prophetic word about Jesus death?’ And my mind raced to Simon the Niger (black), and cast him as the helpful Samaritan. (Of course, we note that it’s not an exact fit, nevertheless we press on.) Here’s today’s Holy Nougat

“As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

That Cross beam could not have been light. It was unlikely that it was a brand new beam, thus it would have been filled with rough bits to dig into the skin. It might even have been blood stained if Jesus was already carrying it. As a visitor to town, Simon would be dressed up. It’s highly unlikely that he was tattered. Carrying the cross beam would have wrecked his clothes and was possibly an inconvenience.

Simon was minding his own business. Yes he was in the city; but I am not entirely sure he knew Jesus prior. Had he known Him, he would not have known that Jesus was being crucified. Had he suspected; he could not have dreamed that he would have been given the honor of carrying Jesus’ cross for a while.

But let’s assume that he knew – would he still have happened into town? – would he choose to be conveniently positioned to carry The Cross? – what must have been on his mind when they thrust the Cross upon him? – how did he feel about the public humiliation of carrying the cross behind Jesus for however long?

Luke 9:23 invites us to take our own cross daily and follow Jesus. Just like Simon. And while it’s *our own cross*, I suspect it is still inconvenient. It is often still humiliating. It is painful at times, digging into our skin, and shredding our dignity. Can we honestly say that we desire to take up our crosses to follow Jesus?

Ahhh this Way of the Cross requires much from us. What will we choose? Would we be the helpful Samaritan in the parable, choosing to be burdened by the suffering Christ? Or are we busy being righteous, so we choose the other side?

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ