April 2

And he bearing his cross, went forth.—John 19:17.

WE are now called upon to behold Jesus on his way to the place of execution. The instrument on which he was to expire is framed, and he is led forth, bearing on his shoulder, the ponderous weight of his own cross. His sufferings had been however, so aggravated and extended, that nature was unable to the task they now imposed on him, and he sank by the way. They then met one Simon, a Cyrene, and him they compelled to bear the Saviour's cross. "Cyrene was on the north part of the coast of Africa: it is likely therefore, that he was a black, who had been converted from idolatry, and had come to worship God at Jerusalem. There is a pleasing tradition concerning Simon, that while carrying Christ's cross, he was convinced of his Messiahship and Divinity, became a sincere disciple, and that two of his sons became celebrated preachers of the Gospel." However exhausted the body of Jesus might be, we know that he bore the cross cheerfully, despising the shame, that he might obtain the covenanted reward, and sit down on the right hand of the throne of God. And he who assisted him on his way to Calvary, stands as the type of every genuine disciple and servant of Jesus. Christ went from shame to dignity, from suffering to joy, from the cross to glory. As his friends, he calleth upon us to have fellowship with him in his sufferings, and to take up his cross and follow him. "For if v suffer with him, we shall also reign with him," but if we shun the cross, and deny him, he also will deny us. (2 Timothy 2:11 i. 2)