On Him They Laid the Cross, That He Might Bear It After Jesus
As followers of Christ, we should expect to suffer, but in partnership with Christ, who bears the heavier end of the cross, and this suffering will lead to eternal glory and honour.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that the act of Simon carrying the cross symbolizes the Church's role as a cross-bearer after Jesus. He reminds Christians that while Jesus bears the weight of sin, believers are not exempt from suffering; rather, they are called to endure it as they carry Christ's cross. Spurgeon encourages believers to find comfort in the fact that they share in Christ's burdens, and that their trials are temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits them. He highlights the importance of partnership in bearing the cross, suggesting that while believers carry a lighter burden, Christ bears the heavier part. Ultimately, Spurgeon calls for a loving acceptance of the cross, as it leads to lasting honor and glory.
Text
We see in Simon's carrying the cross a picture of the work of the Church throughout all generations; she is the cross-bearer after Jesus. Mark then, Christian, Jesus does not suffer so as to exclude your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer.
But let us comfort ourselves with this thought, that in our case, as in Simon's, it is not our cross, but Christ's cross which we carry. When you are molested for your piety; when your religion brings the trial of cruel mockings upon you, then remember it is not your cross, it is Christ's cross; and how delightful is it to carry the cross of our Lord Jesus!
You carry the cross after Him. You have blessed company; your path is marked with the footprints of your Lord. The mark of His blood-red shoulder is upon that heavy burden. 'Tis His cross, and He goes before you as a shepherd goes before his sheep. Take up your cross daily, and follow Him.
Do not forget, also, that you bear this cross in partnership. It is the opinion of some that Simon only carried one end of the cross, and not the whole of it. That is very possible; Christ may have carried the heavier part, against the transverse beam, and Simon may have borne the lighter end. Certainly it is so with you; you do but carry the light end of the cross, Christ bore the heavier end.
And remember, though Simon had to bear the cross for a very little while, it gave him lasting honour. Even so the cross we carry is only for a little while at most, and then we shall receive the crown, the glory. Surely we should love the cross, and, instead of shrinking from it, count it very dear, when it works out for us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
Sermon Outline
- The Church as Cross-Bearer
- Christ's Suffering and Our Suffering
- The Cross We Carry
- The Partnership of Suffering
- The Reward of Suffering
- The cross we carry is only for a little while
- It will lead to eternal glory and honour
Key Quotes
“Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“It is the opinion of some that Simon only carried one end of the cross, and not the whole of it.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Surely we should love the cross, and, instead of shrinking from it, count it very dear, when it works out for us 'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.'” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should expect to suffer as followers of Christ, but with the knowledge that Christ bears the heavier end of the cross.
- We should love the cross, and count it dear, because it works out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
- The cross we carry is only for a little while, and then we will receive the crown, the glory.