High altitude mountain climbers often have a sherpa who carries the necessary equipment for them to reach that summit. The sherpas are accustomed to the altitude---we flat landers not so much. You cannot make that summit without tons of equipment, and the novice climbers are unable to carry their own load. I remember as a child being given a basic physics lesson by my older brother. We would unload feed and carry it to the barn with two of us carrying those heavy sacks. IF--- I allowed him to hold the sack higher than I was or IF we had to go up steps and he put me on the lower slope-I was shouldering the greater part of the load. I FINALLY caught on. Lesson NEVER forgotten!
In my chronological read through The Word, I am reading about the crucifixion of Jesus. Today he was beaten, ridiculed, scourged, and humiliated by the Roman guards. Then He was expected to carry his own weapon of death up the mountain. He was already in such bad shape, that he must have been stumbling and falling---making slow progress. The soldiers, to expediate the trip up the mountain, grabbed a nearby face in the crowd and employed him as a sherpa for Jesus. He carried the burden of they physical weight for Jesus so that He could be nailed to that cross at the top of the mountain.
I pondered this morning the lesson behind Simon carrying the cross for Jesus. I am certain there are many interpretations. I was reminded how God is asking us to shoulder one another's burdens. He sometimes even insists we carry our fellow sojourner's burdens. They might not make it if we do not stop and give them a hand. What must it have felt like that day to carry that cross for Jesus. I am fairly certain Joseph had no idea he would be remembered for all time as the one who carried the cross for The One who carried our burden of redemption. I am certain the load was heavy, but Jesus has also promised us this -
30 For vmy yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30
We are told to take up our cross and follow Him. Though the struggle is real---so is the reward--eternity in His presence. Would you answer the call if He asked you to take part of the burden?
"24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. "
Matthew 16:24
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