TUESDAY, MARCH 27
Luke 23:26-33
Psalm 22:1-15

“My strength is dried up like a potsherd;
…thou hast brought me into the dust of death.”

THE WAY TO THE CROSS

After Pilate delivered Jesus to the people’s will, the soldiers immediately led Jesus to Calvary. Jesus carried the cross He was to be hanged on. The blessed and holy Jesus, the Lamb of God was led as a lamb to the slaughter, to be the sacrifice for your sins and for mine. The physical exhaustion due to the cruel beatings and lashings already exhausted Him that He did not have the human strength to carry the cross. (Read Psalm 22:15.)

Simon, a Cyrenian who happened to pass by, was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus. What a great privilege for Simon to relieve the burden of Jesus. Simon carried the cross on behalf of Jesus; Jesus carried the cross on behalf of the world.

There were many people who followed Jesus, including women who mourned and lamented over Jesus. The Lord lovingly advised them not to cry for Him but for their children. Jesus prophetically told them about the destruction of Jerusalem where pregnant women and children were to be brutally massacred by the Romans. The desolation of Jerusalem is a vivid reminder for Christians of the wrath of God upon those who put Jesus on the cross. But Jesus’ death was not only for the Jews or Romans, we too are the reason He was crucified. Above all, “it was His love for me, that nailed Him to the tree, to die in agony, for all my sin; for my own guilt and blame, the great Redeemer came; willing to bear the shame of all my sin” (Clayton).

When they reached Calvary (which means skull), they nailed Jesus to the cross, where He suffered excruciating pain for six hours to pay for our sins. He was crucified with two criminals on either side in fulfilment of Isaiah 53:12. May we be reminded of our sins and how Jesus took them away so that we can have eternal life and dwell with Him forever in Heaven.

THOUGHT: Am I aware of my sins that led Jesus to the cross?
PRAYER: Father, may I always remember Jesus’ sacrifice for me.