This morning I read the story of Jesus's crucifixion in all four gospels. Every Good Friday I like to read about what our Saviour suffered in order to save us - it's always helps me refocus on Jesus for the rest of the day. This year as I was reading I started thinking about some of the people who were there when He was crucified. Not those who actually hung Him on the cross, and not His disciples, but some of the minor characters in the story. It makes me wonder what some of them were thinking as they saw this Man who they didn't even know, but perhaps had heard of, being killed.
What did Simon of Cyrene think? He was from the country, only in Jerusalem to observe the Passover and sacrifice his lamb. Yet they compelled him to help Jesus carry His cross to Golgotha. I always thought that Simon was granted a great honor that day - to be able to help our Lord carry His cross, to make Jesus's load even a little lighter, just for a moment. I wonder what ever happened to Simon of Cyrene - I wonder if he knew what an honor that simple act was.
What made the thief on the cross realize Jesus was not just any man? He probably didn't realize it before that moment, or I doubt he would be hanging on that cross for stealing. But something that occured on the way to the Golgotha or while they were hanging on the crosses must have convinced him. I always thought that thief was so brave. He believed, but he was so humble - he knew he deserved to be punished. Yet he asked Jesus to remember him, when Jesus came into his throne. What courage! To ask the Son of God to remember him. And Jesus reassured him that it wasn't too late to believe, that the thief would be with Him in heaven. I can't wait until I get there too, so I can ask him about his story.
I also wonder about that centurian, the one who exclaimed that "Truly this was the Son of God!" after he saw Jesus die. That centurian was in the perfect position to observe everything that happened to Jesus during His last hours, everything that was said, every significant event. And after all was said and done, the centurian was also convinced that this was something out of the ordinary - this was not just any man. I wonder what he did with that knowledge? Did he become one of the many believers in Jesus after He rose from the dead? Did he see Jesus ascending to heaven? What happened next?
The stories of these people intrigue me, because they were there. They were present when our God died in our place - they had some small part to share in His story. Whenever I read the accounts of Jesus's death, these two things always strike me - how much our Lord suffered and endured for us; I can't even imagine everything He went through, and it always reminds me of how unworthy I am of such a sacrifice on His part. And the second thing is the individual people who were involved. What must have gone through their minds? And if they lived, what did they do with what they had seen? Did they believe - did they glorify God? Did they help establish the early church, did they tell others about what they had seen? Or did they just go on their way?
What do we do with our knowledge? Do we tell others what we know, what we have seen? I for one don't share my story often enough. Let's remember what Jesus did for us this Good Friday, and endeavor to share what we know in the future.
The image above was from Little Spark Mission.
What a beautiful post...you actually brought tears to my eyes.
Have a great Easter!
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog, it made me come over and read yours and this post really encouraged me! I, too, don't share my story often enough. I hope you enjoy Sunday worship and have a great Easter celebrating the resurection of our Lord!
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