Forced to carry his cross! Simon was forced to carry Jesus' cross. But what about us? Are we forced to carry Jesus' cross? Is it something we have to do? Didn't Jesus say, "Unless you take up your cross and follow me you cannot be my disciple"?
I don't know about you, but I don't feel forced to carry Jesus' cross. It is an honor. Yes, sometimes it is difficult to be his disciple. Yes, sometimes it is hard to carry his cross when those around me don't believe and belittle my faith. Yes, sometimes it would be easier if I didn't hear his call in my heart. But when I think of all that he went through for me, when I think that it was on the cross that he suffered for my sins, when I realize that he felt the blows from the rod and the sting of the thorns and the indignity of his mocking so that my sin and my shame could be banished, then it is an honor to be identified with his cross. So whether it's dying with Christ in baptism, or dying to my flesh each day, or it's putting to death the misdeeds in my body, I gladly take up his cross and follow him.