Jesus came into this world to give us life. His death on the cross and resurrection was meant to earn heaven for us. Jesus is God and he could have earned heaven for us in any other way but he chose to do it only through the cross because that was the correct way of doing it. Even though he was God he submitted himself to a very humiliating death on the cross because of his love for each one of us. He allowed himself to be scourged, spat on, crowned with thorns and crucified alive only because of his love for each one of us.
In the gospel of Luke 9:23 Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple let him carry his cross and follow me”. The cross and the crucifixion is the trade mark of every Christian and it separates Christianity from other religions.
What is our attitude towards suffering and the crosses in our life? Do we suffer and carry our crosses with joy or do we grumble about our crosses. Jeremiah 29:11 says “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for”. Romans 8:28 says “God will turn everything for the good of those who love him”. The gospel of Luke 23:26 says the soldiers asked Simone of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross when they saw that Jesus was falling under the weight of the cross. Jesus will also send somebody to help us carry our crosses when we are falling under the weight of our crosses.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says “Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your capacity to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out”. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 tells us that St. Paul prayed to Jesus three times to take away his cross and Jesus told him “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak”. The gospel of Luke 22:43 tells us that when Jesus prayed “Father, if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done” an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. He received so much strength when he surrendered that he could face the cross without any fear.
There is this story “Footprints in the sand” where Jesus made an agreement with man to be with him every moment of his life – In his good times and his bad times. From that moment onwards everywhere the man went he saw two sets of footprints till one day he fell sick. From that moment onwards he saw only one set of footprints. He got very angry with Jesus. But Jesus replied “Those one set of footprints are not yours but mine. When you were sick it is I who carried you in my arms”.
Let us remember that there cannot be the resurrection without the crucifixion. There cannot be Easter Sunday without Good Friday. So if we are in the Good Friday of our lives let us remember that Jesus is closest to us in our times of problems and wait for that great and glorious day when Jesus will come in all his glory.
