The Best Laid Plans
Scripture – Luke 23:26-31: 26As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ 31For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Reflection: What a change in plans for Simon. He was on his way into town with whatever plans he had for the day. All at once he’s caught up in this big crowd of people heading to the outskirts of Jerusalem. And before he knows what’s happening a Roman guard pulls him from the crowd and lays this big crossbeam on his shoulders.
Simon, I’m sure, had no idea he was thrust into the midst of one of the crucial points in the history of humankind. It would have been clear that he was helping in the execution of someone. The cross had such a negative connotation in those days I suspect he was shaken to be even touching it.
I wonder what happened to him after this. Did he stay and watch the execution? Did he hurry on back into town to finish his business? Did he ever come to realize what happened that day and what role he had in it? There is, of course, no way to answer those questions. What I can do is keep my eyes open today. I don’t know when or how I might encounter Jesus today or what I might be called to do. I will be looking and I will be ready.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reflection: What a change in plans for Simon. He was on his way into town with whatever plans he had for the day. All at once he’s caught up in this big crowd of people heading to the outskirts of Jerusalem. And before he knows what’s happening a Roman guard pulls him from the crowd and lays this big crossbeam on his shoulders.
Simon, I’m sure, had no idea he was thrust into the midst of one of the crucial points in the history of humankind. It would have been clear that he was helping in the execution of someone. The cross had such a negative connotation in those days I suspect he was shaken to be even touching it.
I wonder what happened to him after this. Did he stay and watch the execution? Did he hurry on back into town to finish his business? Did he ever come to realize what happened that day and what role he had in it? There is, of course, no way to answer those questions. What I can do is keep my eyes open today. I don’t know when or how I might encounter Jesus today or what I might be called to do. I will be looking and I will be ready.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
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