Carrying the Cross

Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull

(which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).

John 19:17

The entire journey of His life, was preparing for His death. It was always part of the plan. Along the way He questioned it, but understood that the one that sent Him held all the cards. John 19:17 reads: Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull. This is where it changes some things. The cross that He was carrying was ours. The cross that was weighing Him down, was your weight to bear. The cross that He was nailed to, was your cross. The cross that He was pierced on, was your cross.

It was your cross. And He carried it anyway.

Depression and anxiety may feel like the cross. The weight of these experiences may be heavy. This chapter in John reminds you that He carried it for you. The experiences of depression and anxiety, and the symptoms, may leave you feeling that the weight of it all is on you. The burden is on you. The future is on you. And at times these experiences may make it difficult to even focus on the needs and wants of yourself or others. He carried this all with Him when He picked up that cross. He carried it to the final destination. He did that for you.He took up your cross Himself so that you would have nothing to carry except a desire for Him. Feeling the weight of depression and anxiety; the worry; the burden; the struggle; this is all real. And... So is He.

The prophecies that are brought to life in this chapter of John help to connect the past to the present. And how amazing it is that, the present time of Jesus is so true even today. The constant that He is. The truth and fact that He is the same yesterday, today, and you can count on Him tomorrow. The experiences of depression and anxiety may take away that accountability. The experiences of depression and anxiety may make it difficult to know and understand that someone can be that constant and that present. But He is.

John 19:26-27 reads: When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." This offering of support in this time of grief and hurting is a symbol of the offering that we can be to each other. When you see others grieving or hurting from depression and anxiety, the aftermath of depression and anxiety, or the consequences of depression and anxiety, you can be that comfort to them. You can take them into your "home" (John 19:27). This does not have to be your physical home, but it can be the comfort that a home would be. It could be in the form of time spent with them, checking in with them, sending them a note, showing that they are seen in this moment. He saw His mother and His disciple and turned them to each other. He sees each of you, and turns you towards one another.

The cross He carried was yours.

He left you hope in each other.

He left you the promise of who He is.

Fulfillments:

John 19:24: "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened so that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, "They divided my clothe's among them and cast lots for my garments" (Psalm 22:18)

John 19:28: Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said "I am thirsty."

John 19:36: These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken" (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20)

John 19:37: As another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced" (Zechariah 12:10)

Scripture:

John 19

John 19:17

John 19:26-27

Questions:

How does depression and anxiety keep you attached to the cross?

How do things change, knowing He already carried it for you?

Who is He turning you to, in the way He turned His mother and disciple to each other?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son. He carried the cross that was meant for me. I send today in thanks for this opportunity to live where He has already lived, died, and risen for me. Lord, I know that He has done these things at your call. Lord, I know that He has done these things for all. I pray that those who need Him, come to Him today. I pray that those who are carrying their cross know that He has already done this for them. I ask that others find the comfort in Him today. I pray that depression and anxiety do not win the war on others hearts. Heavenly Father, thank you. I pray this in your son's name. Amen.