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"Pick Up His Cross" | Pastor Ben Kellert

Palm Sunday, March 29th, 2026

Luke 23:26-43  The Crucifixion of Jesus 26 As the soldiers led him 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. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

  • Simon was chosen to carry the cross that was too heavy for our Lord to bear...forced to carry Jesus' burden.
  • Jesus had the weight of the world on His shoulders, Simon bowed down and picked it up for Him.

Simon didn't choose this, but he was chosen for this!

  • He was in this particular spot for such a time as this!
  • Just as Simon was in that spot for such a time as this, YOU are where you are today for such a time as this and God wants to use you where you are!

God has a special message for us: "Carry My Cross, Carry My Burden"...

  • Pick up your cross and follow me!
  • Holy Spirit, what is Jesus' cross/burden today?
  • What breaks His heart today? Souls, those who are far from Him...

John 3:16-17  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

2 Peter 3:9b  "...he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Our responsibility is to make Him irresistibly attractive to those around us.

Romans 10:14-15  "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

  • Opting out is not an option
  • Don't ignore His command to Go!
  • We are told to Go and Do... share with the World - The Great Commission!
  • We have been chosen for such a time as this!

*Pick up your cross and be about your Father's Business!

  • There are still many who need Jesus... who's going to tell them??  I will...will You??
  • I don't want any of my friends to experience the flames of Hell!

Jesus offers all of us the Free gift of Salvation:

  • Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
  • Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Take up your cross and Follow Jesus!

  • God, break my heart for what breaks yours!

Next, click here to watch the full replay of this service, "Pick Up His Cross!"