Three gospels, while recounting the narrative of Jesus being led to his crucifixion, tell us that the soldiers compelled an unfortunate traveler named Simon to follow Jesus while carrying the cross on which he was to be nailed. Simon’s inclusion in the story only occurs in three verses, one in each gospel, but it presents us a vivid picture of discipleship. Jesus had already spoken it this way: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

I spend a lot of my time meditating on the comforting words of the Bible, words of forgiveness, love, hope, victory. The word of discipleship is full of hope, but the path was first walked by one who was already bloody because of the mistreatment and abuse by those who preferred to mock him rather than trust him. For Simon to follow him, carrying a cross, the crowds would have indiscriminately heaped their disdain on him just by his proximity. The closer we get to Jesus, the more some in our world will grow dissatisfied with us.

Jesus prepares us for a discipleship that will require self-denial. Like Jesus, and Simon, to follow Jesus means embracing the path that others consider shameful or places to be avoided. Forgiving people who have wronged you will look to many like you are letting people take advantage of you. Seeking opportunities to serve without getting recognition will make no sense to people who do notice. Loving people who hate you will come across as positively foolish.

At the end of this path, Jesus bore the cross that Simon carried. You and I may be impacted by the collateral damage that hateful people intend to aim at Jesus, but Jesus took the full direct hit of the eternal damage that our sins have warranted. The comfort from the death of Jesus for our sins and the hope of sharing in his victorious resurrection enable us, or even compel us, to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow him.

– Scott