^16-17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. ^18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:16-20

When all of this agony of the cross is said and done, we, as disciples of Christ, are left with a commissioning – go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded. What has Christ commanded? Christ has commanded us to love – love G-d and love each other.  Do we need to be commanded to do this – or shouldn’t love be instinctual? From my observations of this world, I think we are a people that has obviously forgotten how to love one another. I think it was a problem for the 1^st century Jew and Gentile, and it continues to be a problem for the 21^st century Christian, Jew, Muslim, and Buddhist.  “All you need is Love” goes the song…but, often, it isn’t that easy. The hardest part of loving others is loving our enemies—loving those who have hurt, harmed and/or disappointed us. But remember, love is a commandment—not a suggestion.

Pastor Dave

”Along the way they came on a man from Cyrene named Simon and made him carry Jesus’ cross. Arriving at Golgotha, the place they call “Skull Hill,” they offered him a mild painkiller (a mixture of wine and myrrh), but when he tasted it he wouldn’t drink it. ^35-40 After they had finished nailing him to the cross and were waiting for him to die, they whiled away the time by throwing dice for his clothes. Above his head they had posted the criminal charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews. Along with him, they also crucified two criminals, one to his right, the other to his left. People passing along the road jeered, shaking their heads in mock lament: “You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you’re really God’s Son, come down from that cross!” Matthew 27:32-40

They compelled a Cyrene, a man named Simon, to carry his cross. Why would they ask someone to carry the cross for him? They had been so brutal to Jesus up to this point, why do something kind now? I imagine that Jesus was becoming so tired, and the leaders were looking so forward to another crucifixion, that they needed the cross to get to Golgatha somehow. So they forced Simon to carry the cross. Imagine watching this scene as a bystander, and suddenly you are in the midst of the drama.

Simon was compelled to carry his cross, and it is this same cross that we all are called to bear. But that cross can get heavy at times. And we shouldn’t just toss it aside when it seems as if we can’t go another foot. We can’t toss it aside because it is the same cross that Christ was hung upon for our sins.  And when life seems to be just too much to bear, it is the same cross that we grasp onto for help. The cross – it was meant to humiliate, to destroy, and to deter.  The symbol of humiliation became the central symbol of our faith – and instead of being a symbol of defeat, it is a symbol of life.

Pastor Dave