Daughters of Jerusalem
Today's focusSimon of Cyrene carries the cross behind Jesus, and on the way to Calvary Jesus turns to the weeping women, still thinking of others in his suffering.
Read
26And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. 27And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. 28But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29For, 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. 30Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. 31For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
Reflection
As Jesus is led away toward Calvary, we see the physical toll of the journey. The soldiers "laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian," and forced him to "bear it after Jesus." In this moment, Simon walks the difficult path directly behind the Lord, carrying the weight of the cross. Even as his own strength is spent, Jesus is surrounded by a "great company of people" and women who "bewailed and lamented him." Their grief is visible and loud, yet Jesus does not focus on his own looming pain.
Turning to the crowd, Jesus speaks with compassion, calling them "Daughters of Jerusalem." He tells them, "weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children." Even on the way to his death, his heart is moved by the future hardships his people will face. He warns of coming days so difficult that people will cry out to the mountains, "Fall on us." By asking what will happen to the "dry" tree if such things happen to the "green," he points to the gravity of the hour. Today, you can find comfort knowing that even in his deepest suffering, Jesus remained mindful of the sorrows of others.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Simon carried the cross behind Jesus. Whose burden could you help carry this week?
Pray
Lord Jesus, even on the road to the cross you cared for others. Thank you for Simon, who carried your cross. Make me willing to carry burdens alongside others for your sake.