Given the Finger

As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.
(Matthew 27:32)

The cross of Jesus often results in someone getting the finger.  In the passage above it was the “pointing of the finger” from the solider to require someone to take the load of the cross and carry it up to one mile.  The finger I am talking about is the one that comes from the world and demands that someone help Jesus.

Often the demands of the world look just like the events of this day if we reflect on them.  Events and people are acting in anger and confusion.  People are looking for answers, a better life.  Society is following strong leaders who have agendas, hopes and dreams for the world they want to create.  Jesus, the lamb of God, is in the way and needs to be removed.  Note here, that it was the people of God, not the secular leaders, who were calling for the death of Jesus.  We, the followers of God, need to exercise caution as we still are eager to kill our Savior.

But the issue here is what demands are being placed upon us which are in truth a cross for us to bear with and for Jesus?  What are we being made to do which is actually the opportunity to show mercy and help to our Father in Heaven.  That day the Lord needed Simon.  Today, He needs you.  Will we receive the burden the world puts on us so that Jesus can finish the work He has set out to do.  It will be a difficult and hard task.  People will not understand why we are with the guilty.  Our reputation may suffer great loss.  Even Christ may not seem to be a support or strength to us as we serve Him.  When you are given the finger, what will you do.