Season 5 Podcast 66 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew 27 B, “The Long Road to Golgotha.”

Season 5 Podcast 66 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew 27 B, “The Long Road to Golgotha.”

In last week’s episode we introduced Matthew 27 covering the trial. This week we look at the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior. One person who is only briefly mentioned in the life of Christ is Simon, a man of Cyrene. Little is known of Simon, but as if by accident, he stood at the crossroads of the world just at a time when the history of the world was about to change. And perhaps even against his will he is drawn into this epic moment. It is not always easy to distinguish between what is coincidence and what is miraculously orchestrated. How often ordinary things become extraordinary, even earth shaking. Each of us is a potential Simon, a man of Cyrene, inconsequential, invisible, unregarded and suddenly find ourselves in the spotlight. Simon did not volunteer to carry the cross of Christ up the hill Calvary. Matthew Records.

“And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.” (Matthew 27:32)

It is often the small things that make the biggest difference. Upon reflection, what Christion would not take the place of Simon? But that is one of the great paradoxes of Christianity because every Christian is actually commanded to do just that. Listen to the Savior’s words.

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-40)

The difference, however, is that Simon was compelled to carry the cross of Christ. We are commanded to do it of our own freewill and choice. Enforced charity has no saving power. In fact, sometimes it is a curse, and enforced charity can destroy a nation and build resentment. There are many who are willing to sacrifice the wealth of others for their own advancement. 

The heavy road to Golgotha was a sad one, and we can only image the tears shed by the faithful followers of Christ. We have four accounts of the trail to Golgotha. Matthew recorded.

“And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.” (Matthew 27:33-34)

King David in describing the crucifixion said.

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“Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” (Psalm 69:19-21)

In the Bible gall is referred to as snake venom (Job 20:14); it is also compared to a bitter herb (Deuteronomy 29:18); Paul refers to the “gall of bitterness” (Acts 8:23; Jeremiah equates gall with wormwood, a bitter herb (Lamentations 3:19). Some scholars equate vinegar given to Christ with cheap Roman wine mixed with vinegar.