Online Bible Study

Via Crucis – The Cross Demands Simon of Cyrene

This week we began a series called "Via Crucis" or "The Way of the Cross," and we looked at the story of Simon of Cyrene who was forced to carry the cross for Jesus on the way to Calvary. As we put ourselves in Simon's place, we encounter what the cross demands of us. There is no middle ground. There is no room to negotiate. Jesus is calling each of us to pick up the cross and follow Him—completely, sacrificially, selflessly, and willingly.

Read the accounts of the crucifixion in each of the Gospels: Matthew 27:32-56, Mark 15:21-41, Luke 23:26-49, John 19:16-37

As you think about Christ carrying the cross, what words come to mind? ______

We learn something about Simon of Cyrene from each Gospel’s account of the crucifixion:

Matthew 27:32 As they were going out, they found a man from Cyrene named Simon, whom they forced to carry his cross.

Mark 15:21 The soldiers forced a passerby to carry his cross, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country (he was the father of Alexander and Rufus).

Luke 23:26 As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country. They placed the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Think about the moments as Simon is forced to carry Christ’s cross. Put yourself in Simon’s shoes and try to imagine what he was thinking. ______

Read Luke 9:18-25 As you picture Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross of Christ (Luke 23:26), and you read Jesus’ call for his followers to “take up his cross” (Luke 9:23), what can you learn from Simon about what it looks like to carry the cross? ______

To carry a cross in Jesus’ day was to be a “dead man walking.” It was obvious to everyone who saw that the condemned person had no rights, had no choices, and was on their way to their death. When Jesus calls His followers to take up their cross and follow Him, He is asking that we lay everything we have down, even our very selves, and become a “dead man walking” as we follow Jesus with all our lives.

The cross demands nothing, but the cross demands everything. Christ’s saving work is complete through the cross and there is nothing we can do to supplement or add to what Christ did on our behalf. The gift of salvation demands nothing but our acceptance. In another sense, the cross demands everything from us; we choose to follow Christ by laying down our lives and everything we hold dear and following Him with all we have.

When you carry a cross, you can’t carry anything else. What have you been holding onto that God is asking you to lay down before Him? ______

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

What seems foolish in the eyes of the world—denying ourselves and choosing to carry the cross of Christ—is what brings us Life. We are not called to carry the cross on our own, but with the power of God that is in us (v. 18).

What sticks out to you from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 about the power of the cross? ______

The decision to carry the cross is not just a one-time decision, but a daily choice to lay down our wants, our desires, and choose to follow Christ with all that we have.

What is the cross demanding of you today? ______