Stations of The Cross - Eighth Station

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross.

                             Mark 15: 21

I had no interest in witnessing his shame,

Until, I found myself in the crowd, crowing

Without reason, for him to take their blame.

I waivered, nonplussed, then felt myself pushed

To the front, close enough to touch him as

He passed, carrying the crossbeam on his back.

Then seeing him fall, face-down into the dust.

I should have left then, but was seized by

A soldier, to support him with his cross

A shipwreck of a man, unable to stand,

So, I helped take that thing off from his back.

The soldiers kicked him, laughing offhand,

Their indifference worse than cruelty.

He got to his feet, shaking his head, then

Looked into may face – I was taken aback.

I expected a man beaten by pain, and

Great suffering there certainly was, but

Along with that there was also great pity.

I supported him, by carrying his cross,

All the way, until we reached Calvary.

I know I should have stayed but was afraid.

An entitled Jew, I had become unclean,

Just by his touch, and I could not be seen

By my fellow pilgrims from Cyrene.

But then there was Pentecost, where we stood

Amazed, while that wind blew out of the East,

As we received the Holy Spirits Grace.

Image  from Wikimedia Commons

         © D G Moody 2023