“Behold, the Lord GOD will help me …” (Isaiah 50:9)
Jesus told His disciples that each of them had their own cross to take up. (Matt. 16:24) When the time came, Jesus willingly took up His. “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.” (Isa. 50:6) For a short distance, the Roman soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to help a struggling Jesus. “And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.” (Mt. 27:32) But Jesus expected no one to carry His cross for Him.
Successful cross-carrying requires a jealous resolve: “This thing is mine! It is given to me by the Father. It is mine to bear.” No longer do we look to the right or the left. “Heaven help us!” is our cry. If a Simon assists for a short spate, so be it; but he appears out of nowhere. We have set our face to our Jerusalem because our suffering is in the will of God; and we boldly say: “For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” (Isa. 50:7)
Jesus was devoid of self-pity on the road to Calvary. He had long before embraced His destiny, which included a cross. Will we do the same; or count our cross a strange thing – an unnecessary, hated “add-on” – to be resisted? With resignation comes peace.
Don’t fight those things that God is choosing to use for His glory in your life. In our weakness, His strength is perfected. However long, however steep the road is, look to Him, and Him alone, to be your refuge, your strength, your very present help.
The help of Simon of Cyrene is temporary, and often grudgingly so. “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isa. 26:4) Better to depend on Him than an army of men – knowing He is always more than willing to lend you a hand.