#4 Carriers of the Cross, Witnesses of the King - Luke 23:26; Mark 15:37–39; John 19:38–42

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Scripture Reading

Luke 23:26; Mark 15:37–39; John 19:38–42 (ESV)

Luke 23:26 26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.

Mark 15:37–39 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

John 19:38–42 38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Reflection:

This set of passages introduces us to a handful of often-overlooked characters:

• Simon of Cyrene—pulled from the crowd to carry Jesus’ cross.
• The centurion—a Roman soldier who confesses, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
• Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus—quiet followers who step forward at great risk to care for Jesus’ body.

None of them are on a stage. None of them are “expected” heroes. But each of them responds to Jesus in a costly, tangible way: carrying, confessing, honoring.

For worship leaders and teams, Easter reminds us that the real work of worship is not just what happens under lights and microphones—it’s what happens in hidden obedience and courageous public witness. We carry the cross, confess the King, and honor Christ with our lives.

Personal Questions:

1. Where is Jesus inviting me, like Simon, to “carry the cross” in ways that are costly or unexpected?
2. Do I confess Jesus as boldly as the centurion did, or am I more hesitant to stand out?
3. What “hidden” acts of worship—like Joseph and Nicodemus—might Jesus be calling me to this season?

Team Questions:

1. How can we honor the “Simons” on our team—the ones who quietly carry heavy loads behind the scenes?
2. What does public, courageous witness to Jesus look like for us as visible leaders on a Sunday?
3. How can we build a culture that celebrates unseen faithfulness as much as platform moments?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for the cross and for the unlikely worshipers who responded to You there. Make me willing to carry the cross, to confess You boldly, and to honor You in both visible and hidden ways. Let my whole life be an act of Easter worship. Amen.