S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

Mark 15:21

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

O-bservation:

The scripture tells us that as Jesus was carrying His cross towards Golgotha He fell under the weight of its load. The soldiers, who had been goading him on, forced a man named Simon to carry Jesus’ cross the rest of the way.

A-pplication:

“The Weight Of The Cross” varies in load based upon how it is received. In this case, Simon had the Cross of Jesus forced on him. It must have been an unbearable load. I know people who have had “The Cross” forced on them from birth, and instead of it being a blessing it became unbearable because it was never a Cross they chose. Remember, Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” When you or I come to Jesus because we are already burdened down with the the heavy issues of this life, we willingly lay our burdens down to take up our “Cross” and follow Jesus. His yoke (Cross) becomes easy and light and fulfilling and purposeful because we CHOOSE it. Forced love can never compete with a love that is chosen from the heart. “The Weight Of The Cross” is the most wonderful “Load” we will ever carry when it’s not FORCED on us, but is rather CHOSEN by us.

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

The day I laid my “Heavy Burdens” at Your feet and picked up “My Cross” and followed after You was the greatest day of my life. I took on a load that has actually lifted me into victories I never dreamed possible. Thank You for “The Weight Of The Cross!” Amen