As I view this work by Scott Erickson and think about Jesus taking up his cross, I'm struck with the question: When did Jesus first take up his cross?
Did Jesus first take up his cross after Pilate turned him over to the soldiers: "...and they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth..." John 19:16-17.
Definitely, Jesus has taken up his cross at this time. We read in Hebrews 12:2: "...for the joy that was set before him endured the cross...".
Or, was it the night before when Jesus first took up his cross saying ".…“Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will…”, Mark 14:36. We see our Lord is fully aware of the task at hand...through tears of blood our Lord takes up the cross this evening.
Or, just weeks earlier, did Jesus first take up his cross at Caesarea Philippi: "...And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again....", Mark 8:31. Caesarea Philippi is about 105 miles north of Jerusalem. As we read on in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus turns towards Jerusalem at this point, entering the great city itself in Chapter 11. Our Lord clearly knew exactly what awaited him inside this great city over 100 miles away, yet he accepted his assignment and proceeded to close the distance day by day, ever closer to taking up his cross.
Or, hundreds of years earlier, did Jesus first take up his cross when the word of the Lord came unto the prophet Ezekiel: "...Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?... The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them...And I will set up over them one shepherd...", Ezekiel 34:2-4, 23. As Ezekiel records what the existing shepherds of Israel weren't doing, it becomes essentially the itinerary of Jesus Christ's ministry (hundreds of years prior to his birth). For Jesus did strengthen the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought again those that have strayed, and sought those that were lost. All, or most, of the prophets, spoke of the coming of the Messiah so it seems the assignment of the cross was accepted during the times of the prophets.
Or, thousands of years earlier, did Jesus take up his cross as the flaming sword of the Cherubims was placed as Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden of Eden. I envision the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) determining that, now that those formed in the image of God were now removed from his perfect presence, that a perfect sacrifice would be needed. A once and for all atonement. I see blueprints, as it were, being drawn up for the cross even before Adam and Eve had even walked over the horizon away from the garden.
Invitation: As we each go forward this day in the name of Jesus, let us all declare that even in these tough times of pestilence upon the land, that our Lord is on His throne and nothing surprises or catches him off guard. Nothing, not even the cross is outside His absolute control. As "he was pierced for our transgressions", Isaiah 53:5, was written hundreds of years before Passion Week, let us each declare that he is worthy and ready to strengthen/heal/redeem/find. Let's search our day-to-day lives for anything we are "handling" on our own and not bringing unto the Cross of Jesus Christ...
As we enter into Holy Week, we’ll be sharing art from our friend Scott Erickson that will help us experience the incredible story of Jesus going to the cross to die for each one of our sins.
This is a week to remember what God did for you. Share these posts with a friend and share your thoughts throughout the week.