Chaplain's Message

Carry the Cross

I had cause to reflect as I prepared the Easter Service for St Philip’s, on the verse from Matt 27, 2 - As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).

Jesus, beaten, battered, abused, spat upon, was expected to carry a hugely heavy cross on his bloodied back along the Via Dela Rosa (way of suffering) to the Place of Skulls for his own crucifixion. 

It proved impossible for him, his strength failing, they pulled Simon of Cyrene from the crown to bear the cross of Jesus to Golgotha! I always wonder how Simon felt about that – from my perspective, a really tough thing to have to do but what an honour! BUT from Simon’s? 

It tells us he was forced to carry the cross – not knowing much about Jesus except all the extraordinary things being said, whispered, shouted during the last week and through the crowd crammed in fascination along the walls, pushing their way toward this exciting, gory, horrible spectacle that was to take place on the hill. 

Was Simon baying for blood too – did he feel differently about it all once he got going and experienced some of the vitriol aimed at Jesus. Was he moved by the silent strength of this broken man tottering, pushed and shoved behind him.

Simon was called to a task, and Simon delivered – he has gone down in history as the man who carried Jesus’s cross to Golgotha, in spite of his unknown attitude.

We are sometimes asked to walk a mile in another’s shoes, to carry the burdens of people around us or even across the world - sometimes we want to, but sometimes we don’t! Everything in us begs to walk away and leave it at someone else’s door. 

I am challenged by Simon of Cyrene – he was called and he delivered, regardless of his own feelings. May we be willing to hear the call, and may we be committed to making sure we “deliver”. Jesus certainly delivered, regardless of his feelings, and we stand free before God because of it. 

May you have a really safe and blessed Easter – God bless you.

~ Pastor Sarah Pollitt

   College Chaplain