The body and blood of Christ on the cross have quite literally saved our lives, both in this world and the next.
Despite the great costliness of this gift, it is extended unconditionally to each of us, and there is nothing we need do to receive it. But those of us who have claimed it are left to discern what our response will be.
Will we show Christ the respect of drawing near to the gruesomeness of the cross to deepen our appreciation? Will we perhaps even accompany Him to Golgotha and there avail ourselves to God to bear our own cross into a hostile world?
How close are you willing to get to the cross? We’ll let the story of Simon of Cyrene be our guide as we wrestle with this question.