The Cross and Leadership

 The scripture, Luke 23:26, was used recently in a sermon I heard.  It was about Simon of Cyrene being made to carry the cross behind Jesus.  I had always pictured him in front of Jesus as they approached Calvary: "As the soldiers led him (Jesus) away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus."

I was reminded of something that Jesus introduced in Luke 9:23.  "Then he said to them all, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" I have often wondered what it means for me to take up my cross and follow him. I have heard different interpretations expressed and discussed.  But Sunday's sermon shed new light on the concept for me, i.e.--it wasn't  just what Simon was compelled to do.  But in a most blaring, unmistakable way it was connecting Simon to God's will for him.

Simon was called to carry a cross, a burden, that he didn't cause or create.  His challenge was to carry a cross for another, who just happened to be the Son of God. On top of that, he was to carry it BEHIND Jesus.  What is my cross to bear daily as I walk behind Jesus?

As followers of Jesus we are often called to carry burdens that we didn't create.  For whatever reason, they are ours to bear. And most of us have difficulty carrying our own personal burdens, much less those of others.  Yet that's just what happened to Simon. He was merely making his way in from the country, totally unaware of what lay just around the bend, and suddenly he met the challenge of a lifetime--bearing the burden of another through no fault or cause of his own. And in an instant his life changed forever.

Kenneth Feathers, a former colleague of mine, once said, "The reason I got out of administration and back into teaching in the classroom was because I wanted a job that required me to be responsible for what I (only) did."  In administration, leaders are regularly called on to get involved in solving problems that they did not create.  This can be a very difficult assignment if someone is in a middle management job requiring him/her to follow someone in position of higher authority.

Being a leader requires understanding of what it is to carry burdens which he/she may not have created.  Jesus instructed his followers in Matthew 23:11--"He that is greatest among you will be your servant."  Servants understand this teaching.  Jesus also says (vs.12) that this can only be accomplished through HUMILITY. Leadership is more than a name or position.

The life of Simon of Cyrene changed forever on that eventful day.  We are not told the back story of this event--only that he carried the cross for Jesus, walking behind him.  an amazing example for any leader and especially a Christian leader.

Many of us are hesitant to carry burdens for others.  And, if we do, we welcome the honor of recognition for our service.  Can we humbly serve others without any acknowledgement for our actions? Great leaders practice this example.  Welcome to the challenge!