The shame of the cross
Bearing one’s cross daily is what every good Christian should do, in fact every human has to deal with in life. Life teaches that at the end of the day we are responsible for our own actions and their consequences. Although there are some that always try to pin outcomes to other, yet deep down inside know that the fault is theirs. Bearing the cross in times past was like the walk of shame, everyone joined in to ridicule the walker. The feeling of be ashamed is not something that anyone enjoy feeling. There are many ways by which shame comes from, for example, speaking on a matter without having a clear understanding (Pro18:13). Allowing oneself to anger for something that is obviously simple (Prov12:16). And when someone refuses instruction, are just a couple of ways by which shame comes, but there are hundreds of ways it comes by. The worst way shame can come to a person is by his own folly, but when it comes because of the gospel it is not so bad. In fact, Jesus told his disciples to rejoice when men speak all kinds of evil because of him (Mt5:11).
Matthew 27:31-33
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
Simon from Cyrene was forced to walk the walk of shame. He was just minding his own business when he came into town in Jerusalem and was forced to take the cross of Christ. Experiencing everything that came with the cross of Christ must have been an experience. Seeing all people mock, curse and ridicule Christ must have left a life changing mark in him. Carrying the cross of Jesus gave him the full of experience of the gospel (Ro6:3-4). Simon heard when the women were crying and lamenting for him, and in turn Jesus prophesied the destruction of the city and the barrenness of them (Lk23:28-30). He was not feeling his own shame but the shame that comes with the cross and its message. He must have felt the love of God (Jh3:16). Because the weight of the sin of the world was on Christ, Simon must have felt the weight of the cross much heavier. Paul said that because the world did not get to know God as God, he chose the foolishness or walk of shame of the cross to save man (1Co1:21).
We can delegate someone else to carry our cross, but when we come to Christ, his cross becomes ours and there is no delegation to that one.
Proverbs 18:13
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Proverbs 12:16
16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Romans 6:3-4
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Luke 11:28-29
28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 Corinthians 1:21
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.