A passerby named ###, who was from ###, was coming in from the countryside [as Jesus was led away to be crucified], and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross. (### was the father of ### and ###.)
—Mark 15:21 NLT
Jesus told his followers, including those of us who follow him today, that we need to pick up our crosses and follow him (Mark 8:34). While ### was forced to physically carry Jesus' cross to Golgotha, he also apparently picked up the cross spiritually because his sons, ### and ###, were known in the Christian community Mark was addressing. Paul also seems to have known one of the sons, ###, whom Paul described as one "whom the Lord picked out to be his very own" (Rom. 16:13). This situation with ### and his sons is a great reminder that if we want to share our faith with our children, "carrying the cross" is a powerful example that helps them follow in our footsteps as we follow in Jesus' steps!
O Father God, please help me live as a powerful example before those in my family. May they clearly see that I don't just "talk the talk," but that I also "walk the walk." Give me courage as I genuinely commit to carry the cross each day. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by ###. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., ###. All rights reserved.
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—Mark 15:21 NLT
Key Thought
Jesus told his followers, including those of us who follow him today, that we need to pick up our crosses and follow him (Mark 8:34). While ### was forced to physically carry Jesus' cross to Golgotha, he also apparently picked up the cross spiritually because his sons, ### and ###, were known in the Christian community Mark was addressing. Paul also seems to have known one of the sons, ###, whom Paul described as one "whom the Lord picked out to be his very own" (Rom. 16:13). This situation with ### and his sons is a great reminder that if we want to share our faith with our children, "carrying the cross" is a powerful example that helps them follow in our footsteps as we follow in Jesus' steps!
Today's Prayer
O Father God, please help me live as a powerful example before those in my family. May they clearly see that I don't just "talk the talk," but that I also "walk the walk." Give me courage as I genuinely commit to carry the cross each day. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by ###. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., ###. All rights reserved.
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