Contemporary Stations - Station Eight, Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Bear the Cross

The weight of the cross is immense, both physically and spiritually ... the cross is the sin of man from the first to any that will become. There is much weight with the sin of so many and Christ, while agreeing to become the sacrificial love offering, (choosing mankind - choosing even me) stumbles under the weight of it all. Simon the Cyrenian is moved to aide Jesus, to lift the cross from his weary shoulders and help carry it for a distance. And Christ? Christ does not refuse the offer ... Christ is meek and accepts the aide.

Everyone needs help, even the sacrificial lamb of God ... The Son of God eternal and everlasting; yet another example of Christ living to understand the plight, the life, of man. Christ understands agony, he understands pain and suffering, he understands that there are times when we must accept aide when offered. Once again Christ is the perfect example for mankind ... for me.

Lord Jesus, thank you for making clear the example of living - for understanding wholly the human condition. Father God, I thank you for the persons that you have brought into my life - for the aide that they have offered me. Lord Jesus, for your strength and guidance, for your earthly example. Thank you Christ Jesus, thank you Father God, and thank you to my friends and family who help carry my burdens.