Support: Coming alongside others and providing gentle, appropriate assistance with a problem or struggle. (Galatians 6:2)
Jesus, badly beaten – perhaps, beyond recognition – was made to carry His own cross through the streets to Golgotha-the place of execution and “the place of the skull”. Carrying that heavy cross was made even more difficult by the weakness and blood loss the beating had produced. Simon of Cyrene, minding his own business, was pulled into this scene by soldiers to carry the cross for Jesus. Jesus was extremely weak. I imagine it was difficult just to walk. Please read Mark 15:16-22.
Let this scene play in your mind for a moment. Think of Jesus and what He was feeling, hearing, seeing, knowing what was coming ahead. Imagine Him looking into the face of Simon as Simon lifted the weight off of Jesus’ shoulders. Scripture does not tell us about this encounter, but I can imagine the relief Jesus felt from Simon’s support in that moment.
We don’t know if Simon of Cyrene knew Jesus was the Messiah. Imagine for a moment, if you were Simon and you knew who Jesus was because you had experienced His love in your life personally. What would you be thinking, feeling if you had been asked to carry the cross of Jesus?
I think of some tender times in scripture that describe His children giving Jesus human support:
The woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume.
In Mark 14:6 Jesus said to those upset with this act, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing.” The very thought that Jesus called this act “beautiful” tells me His heart was full and he must have felt supported. Most of those in attendance missed the opportunity to encourage and support Jesus, but not this woman. She did this as an act of worship.
Those that stayed while Jesus hung on the cross.
For Him to be able to look down and see those followers who loved Him, were grieving with and prayerfully for Him, must have made His heart feel their support.
When Jesus reclined at the table with His disciples for the last supper.
Yes, Jesus knew He would be betrayed but imagine for a moment this last evening with His friends in this way. He shared so much with these friends. I can imagine the love, laughter and talks they had. Do you think He felt their support in this moment? I would like to think He did.
I ask you to imagine other times when Jesus might have felt the support of others while He walked this earth. What about you? Do you know someone needing support right now? In these times of uncertainty we can be certain we can love and support those around us. We can be certain that Jesus will not leave us comfortless. He is real and really available as our Savior and our Lord.
God did not create us to be completely alone. He made us to give love and to be loved. God uses His children to meet the needs of His people. Just as Jesus might have felt the support of a loved one, carrying Him through a most difficult journey, we can walk side by side with someone on their journey too.
“You are here at this particular time for a reason. You are a light for others. One smile, one hug, or one hello can make a difference in someone’s life!” (Keith Leon S.)