Luke 23:26-31

Scripture: Luke 23:26-31 “And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.  ²⁷ And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. ²⁸ But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ ³¹ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Observation: So much in this passage!  First, Simon of Cyrene. He was likely a visitor for the Passover. In his weakened state, Jesus was likely not able to carry the cross. Simon was pressed into service to carry the cross. We must wonder if he knew the significance of what he was doing at the time.  Later in scripture we have evidence that perhaps Simon’s sons might have become followers of Jesus.  Mark 15:21 mentions Simon’s sons Alexander and Rufus.  Romans 16:13 mentions Rufus. Perhaps this is because they were known figures in the later church, as some scholars have postulated. It makes us think of the significance of what we do in the name of Jesus. That seemingly small act may have sparked faith and discipleship in his descendants, and inspired others as the Gospel was preached.

Let’s look at the people mourning and lamenting. Jesus cautions them about what is to come. He tells them not to weep for him who came to save the world, but for the sin that infects them and their children. Jesus is making the sacrifice for us. He is the cure for the disease that infects us all.  As a prophecy, he tells them essentially that while things might look bleak now, they will likely get worse before they get better.  The dark days of the fall of Jerusalem and the temple are coming. As a reference to end time prophecy and his return, Jesus warns that it might have been better for those who are not believers never to have been born when he comes again.  Those in unbelief will literally wish for the mountains to fall on them. There will be a massive falling away before he returns in ultimate triumph. Verse 30 speaks to the injustices that will be delivered not only to unbelievers but to those in the faith as well.  In the near term the old and the young will be killed in the fall of Jerusalem. Ultimately, all will be judged when he comes again in glory.

Application:So, what can we take from this scripture?  Several things!  Simon shows that serving our Lord has blessings that we can’t even anticipate. He found out in a very literal way what it means to take up the cross and follow Him!  Those blessings will be carried on to the next generations as well as immediate.  Jesus tells us to not weep for him but for ourselves. He is come to save us from the despair of our own sin.  We need to turn away form our sin and look to him. Ultimately, we will be judged when he comes again.

Prayer:  Father help us to willingly serve you when called, and to believe that your blessings will multiply. Help us to turn away from our sins and to keep our faith and hope in you, the savior of the world. Amen.

Jack Wells