Chapter 23—Calvary
Jesus was hurried to Calvary amid the shouts and jeers of the crowd.
As He passed the gate of Pilate’s court, the heavy cross which had
been prepared for Barabbas was laid upon His bruised and bleeding
shoulders. Crosses were placed also upon two thieves, who were to
suffer death at the same time with Jesus.
The load was too heavy for the Saviour in His weary, suffering
condition. He had gone but a few rods when He fell fainting beneath
the cross.
When He revived, the cross was again placed upon His shoulders.
He staggered on a few steps, and again fell to the ground as one
lifeless. His persecutors now realized that it was impossible for Him
to go farther with His burden, and they were puzzled to find someone
who would carry the humiliating load.
Just then they were met by Simon a Cyrenian, coming from the
opposite direction. Him they seized and compelled to carry the cross
to Calvary.
The sons of Simon were disciples of Jesus, but he himself had not
accepted the Saviour. Simon was ever after grateful for the privilege
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of bearing the cross of the Redeemer. The burden he was thus forced
to carry became the means of his conversion. The events of Calvary
and the words uttered by Jesus led Simon to accept Him as the Son of
God.
Arriving at the place of crucifixion, the condemned were bound
to the instruments of torture. The two thieves wrestled in the hands
of those who stretched them upon the cross; but the Saviour made no
resistance.
The mother of Jesus had followed Him on that awful journey to
Calvary. She longed to minister to Him as He sank exhausted under
His burden, but she was not allowed this privilege.
At every step of that wearisome way she had looked for Him to
manifest His God-given power, and release Himself from the murder-
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