Burden Bearer - Part 1

The once sunlit landscape is now illuminated by stars. The blazing fireplace is dull embers. The bustling household is fading off in slumber. That night.

The soldiers lay hold of Jesus. (Mark 14:46) He puts up no fight. His followers flee in fear. (Mark 14:50) That night.

Simon's mind struggles to rest as he lays in bed. The burdens of running his home grip his thoughts. "We're short on cash. The bills are piling up. Jobs are few and far between. I'm just having a hard time dealing with life right now." That night.

They spit on Him. (Mark 14:65a) Their fists pound His face. (Mark 14:65b) And whem Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd, they shout, "Crucify! Crucify Him!" (Mark 15:13-14) That night.

Lying in bed Simon tries desperately to calm his own fears, but his mind won't cooperate. "I must get off to Jerusalem early tomorrow. I have to find some work and soon. You know what they say, 'The early bird catches the worm!' That's what I have to do." That night.

The whip snaps viciously as it tears into Jesus. (Mark 15:15) Unbearable, the anguish. Unspeakable, the merciless beating. That night.

Dawn comes quickly this day. "Did I really even sleep?" Simon thinks while tying on his sandals. "I've got to get going. I've got to beat others to the punch." The morning after that night.

Through the Via Dolorosa they venture. Jeers and mocking paint the way. The sins of the world weigh heavily on Christ's back. The morning after that night.

Off Simon goes, his sons by his side. As they approach the city, their attention turns to the procession. The awful procession! The morning after that night.

Shortly Simon and his sons will be interrupted. And dad will be forced to participate. He'll come face to face with the Messiah! The morning after that night.

And when they led [Jesus] away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)

(Watch for "Burden Bearer - Part 2" to come soon.)