Proverbs 3:28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
Mark 15:21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.
The Roman cross for crucifixion weighed about three hundred pounds. The crossbeam that a condemned man had to carry to his crucifixion weighed about one hundred pounds. Jesus would have been weak from the beating, whipping, and blood loss he had suffered before final sentencing. There are not too many accounts of people coming to the aid of Jesus. However, Simon of Cyrene was a shoulder for Jesus in a time of need. Prov. 18:24b And there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Simon of Cyrene, who was minding his own business, coming in from the countryside, was forced to carry another man’s cross. He started his day with plans and errands to run in Jerusalem. But God had other plans for him. The Lord had prepared this man to be able to carry the weight of the crossbeam that Jesus’ hands would be nailed to. Simon would not have understood the full extent of Jesus’ sentence and humiliation that would take place on that cross. In fact, by this strange divine appointment, Simon had literally picked up his cross and followed Jesus right to Golgotha.
Talk about a detour in a man’s day. Simon had become part of Jesus’ personal history that day. The effect must have been profound upon his mind and heart as the next few weeks would unravel the new and better covenant that was bought with the blood of Jesus for all of humankind. The bloodstains that Simon noticed on the crossbeam would have been remembered by Simon when the gospel of salvation began to be preached, because Jesus was bleeding profusely from the crown of thorns and beatings. What a personal message that would have been for him. Simon could most likely attest to the power in the blood of our Lord.
Has there ever been a time in your life when Jesus asked you to carry the weight of another person’s burden? A heavy crossbeam so to speak, that would be inconvenient, unwelcome, uncomfortable, and cumbersome to carry. When we step out of our comfort zone to help another human being, we become the hand extended that God is using to bring salvation to the lost. Matt. 25:37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
We do not know how or when God is going to use us. It may be to do something simple, or, it may be something very hard that carries great weight. Nevertheless, we will be called upon by God to be a blessing in a person’s life. Simon was forced to help, but God asks us to help. Prov. 3:28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” We do not know the historic weightiness our help will have until we step up and do what God asks of us.
As the proverb says, “Don’t say come back tomorrow if you can help today.” We can all give testimony to someone coming along and helping us get out from under a big and heavy weight. Is there someone who you know that could use your prayers, time, and help? Go ahead and bless them. God has already given you His permission to do so. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
That's a good word. Thanks, Norm!