April 5

Morning

As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. — Luke 23:26 BSB

In Simon carrying the cross, we see a picture of the Church’s role throughout all generations—she is the cross-bearer following after Jesus. Notice, Christian, that Jesus does not suffer to exempt you from suffering. He bears His cross, not so that you can avoid yours, but so that you may have the strength to endure it. Christ has freed you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember this and expect to face suffering. But take comfort in knowing that, like Simon, you are not carrying your cross, but Christ’s cross. When you face persecution for your faith, or when your devotion brings ridicule or hardship, remember that it is not your cross—it is Christ’s cross. And what a joy it is to bear the cross of our Lord Jesus!

You carry the cross after Him. You have blessed company—your path is marked with the footprints of your Savior. The mark of His blood-red shoulder is on the cross you carry. It is His cross, and He goes before you, just as a shepherd leads his sheep. Take up your cross daily and follow Him.

Also, remember that you do not carry this cross alone. Some believe that Simon carried only one end of the cross, not the whole of it. This may be true—Christ may have borne the heavier part, while Simon carried the lighter end. Certainly, this is the case with you. You only carry the lighter part of the cross—Christ has already borne the heaviest burden. And just as Simon carried the cross for only a short time, gaining eternal honor, so the cross you bear is temporary and will soon be exchanged for a crown of glory. Let us not shrink from the cross, but cherish it, knowing that it leads to “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Evening

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor. — Prov 15:33 BSB

Humbling your soul always brings a blessing. When we empty ourselves of pride, God fills us with His love. If you desire close communion with Christ, remember His words: “I will look on this one: the one who is humble, contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.” If you want to rise to heaven, you must stoop low. We say of Jesus, “He descended, that He might ascend,” and the same is true for you. You must grow downward in humility to grow upward in grace. The deepest fellowship with heaven belongs to humble souls, and only they can experience it. God denies no blessing to a heart that is truly humble. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and with it, all its riches and treasures.

God gives according to the measure that is safe for us. If you don’t receive a blessing, it’s because it isn’t safe for you to have one. If your spirit were not humbled, and you gained a victory in the Lord’s work, you might take the glory for yourself, and fall when the next trial came. So God keeps you low, for your own good.

When someone is sincerely humble and takes none of the credit for themselves, there is almost no limit to what God can do through them. Humility opens the way for God’s grace to flow into your life and equips you to serve others effectively. True humility is a flower that beautifies every garden. It is the seasoning that improves every part of life. Whether it’s in prayer, praise, work, or suffering, the genuine salt of humility is something you can never use too much of.