Now the soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole Roman cohort. And they dressed Him in purple, and after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; and they began saluting Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they repeatedly beat His head with a reed and spit on Him, and kneeling, they bowed down before Him. And after they had mocked Him, they took the purple cloak off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him.

And they compelled a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to carry His cross. Then they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. And they tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it. And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man would take.

-- Mark 15:16–24

Reflection
For me, this Bible passage sums up the entire meaning of the Lenten season.

Each time I read this passage, I can visualize Jesus sitting in that courtyard being beaten, spit upon and humiliated by the Roman soldiers and never once a complaining word! This was the Son of God, who came to save all from our sins, taught us how to love one another and never committed sin. He was treated like a common criminal!

If this was not enough, in His weakened state, the soldiers made Him carry that heavy cross that He would be nailed to. No one in the crowd sought to help Him! They forced a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, to help Jesus.

Jesus hung on the cross asking for water, the soldiers offered Him bitter wine mixed with myrrh-another humiliation. While Jesus hung dying on the cross, He called upon His Father to forgive those who tortured and were crucifying Him. He loved us so much, He was willing to give up His life for us.

-- Debb Egli

Questions
Imagine yourself as Simon of Cyrene. What are you thinking and feeling? How does this experience of carrying the cross of Jesus change you?
Could Simon have refused to carry the cross of Jesus? What difference does it make if he did or didn’t have a choice?

Prayer
God of power and might, you work through us and often despite us. Make us willing servants of your will, and when we turn and run, by your grace, help us to work for anyway. Amen.