September 21

Luke 23:26-31 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28But turning to them Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.' 31For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Observation

Jesus’ road to his crucifixion is temporarily halted when the cross that He was carrying becomes too heavy to bear and Simon from Cyrene is seized to carry the cross. Despite being exhausted to point where Jesus could no longer physically carry the cross, Jesus still shows compassion to the people who mourn for him. He specifically calls out “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves…”
Then Jesus goes onto explain why they should be concerned about themselves, because of the judgment that is to come to those who have rejected Jesus.

Application

I am reminded that even in the midst of my own struggles, my focus should be for those who do not know Jesus or have rejected Him. I am called to be like Christ to show compassion to those who will face the judgment of God because of the unimaginable consequence of rejecting Christ.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, forgive me as I stray from my calling as your disciple to reach out to those who do not know you or have rejected you. Help me to be the vessel where people that are lost will find new life in you. I pray that I can be the instrument to bring forth truth and reconciliation. In Christ Name, Amen.

--Henry Yoo