Just one more step
Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. ~ Luke 23:26
When we think of Jesus’ journey to the cross, our minds often go to the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. The place where Jesus, overwhelmed with sorrow and the weight of what was to come, sweat drops of blood as He prayed. That moment was filled with deep anguish, and yet it was also marked by an unwavering surrender: “Not My will, but Yours be done.”
But there’s another moment in the story that often gets overlooked. One that is equally powerful and deeply human. As Jesus carried His cross toward Calvary, His body gave out. He had been beaten, scourged, crowned with thorns, and mocked. His physical strength had limits. At that breaking point, someone was called to help. His name was Simon of Cyrene.
This one verse reminds us of a profound truth: Even Jesus accepted help to fulfill His purpose. He knew where He needed to go, and He knew what had to be done, but in His humanity, when He could no longer take another step, God provided someone to help carry the load.
Jesus didn’t give up when it got hard. He didn’t turn away from the cross when His body could no longer bear the weight. He simply took one more step, and then another. He was determined to finish the mission that God had sent Him to fulfill, and He did. It was at that point when Jesus could have said, “That’s all I got, I cannot take another step. I cannot get up and move any further on this path. I have been beaten until there is no strength left in this body, and I will lay down here and die.”
I’m sure He could have died right there if He hadn’t gone on. However, He was determined to make it to His destination. There was nothing that was going to hold Him back from getting to the place He was assigned to be. No setbacks, no roadblock and no heart ache. He set His eyes on the top of that hill at Calvary and thought within Himself: just a little further, just another step. I imagined at that point He was probably down on hands and knees fixated on that spot where He was to be crucified for me. He was obsessed with getting there for us all, to carry away our sin, our sickness, our disease, and our pain and suffering. Thank you, LORD Jesus, for being determined to succeed in the purpose for the breath You were given here on earth. Your purpose was to be beaten, suffer, die, be buried, get the keys of hell and death, raise up from the dead, and ascend into Heaven to be with your Father at His right hand, to be the head of His church, to rescue us from an eternity of suffering and separation from You.
We all face moments in life when the weight of our journey becomes too heavy. Whether it’s the burden of responsibility, the sting of grief, the ache of disappointment, or the pressure of waiting on God’s timing, it can be overwhelming. Like Jesus, we may reach a point where we feel like we can’t take another step. But that’s not the time to quit. It’s the time to look to God for help and determine to accomplish His plan with His strength and grace.
Just one more step. That’s all He asks of us. The next step of faith, one more prayer. One more moment of faith. One more act of obedience. He promises that you won’t carry it alone He has sent you help.
If you are in a place today that you are feeling too weak and tired to take the next faith step, here are some things you can do to renew your strength:
- Acknowledge When You’re Tired
Jesus didn’t hide His suffering, and you don’t have to either. Be honest with God and those around you when you feel weary. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s an open door to strength. - Accept Help
Just like Simon helped Jesus, God places people in your life to walk with you. Lean on your spiritual family. Let others pray for you, encourage you, or even help carry the load when you’re overwhelmed. - Keep Moving Forward
Don’t wait for all your strength to return before you take the next step. Sometimes breakthroughs come after you move. Remember, small steps still lead forward. - Stay Focused on the Finish Line
Jesus had His eyes fixed on Calvary, not because of the pain, but because of the purpose. Hebrews 12:2 says He endured the cross “for the joy set before Him.” Keep your eyes on your purpose, not the pain. - Surrender Daily
Each morning, echo Jesus’ words: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Make it a habit to invite God into your plans, your work, your decisions, and your relationships.
If you’re not sure what God’s plan is for your life, ask Him. He promises in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Start by setting aside quiet time each day to pray, read His Word, and listen for His direction. Write down what He shows you and take small steps forward as He leads.
If you’ve never received the gift of salvation, there’s no better time than now. God has already done the work and Jesus finished it on the cross. All that’s left is for you to respond. Pray this prayer from your heart:
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new. I believe Your Son, Jesus, died for me, and I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. I thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life. I now have a right relationship with You, my Father in heaven. Please give me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and empower me to walk in the life You have planned for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today I want to encourage you to let Jesus’ determination inspire your own. He didn’t stop at the garden. He didn’t quit on the road. He pressed forward, step by step, wound by wound, until your freedom was secured. He didn’t carry the cross to make you feel guilty. He carried it to give you the victory.
So, if today feels heavy, take heart. Jesus knows exactly what it feels like to walk that road, and He will help you carry your cross. Don’t give up. Take just one more step.
The same God who gave Jesus strength in His weakest moment will give you strength too.
Today’s scripture reading: Luke 23:26-43
26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.
27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.
28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’
30 Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’
31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”
32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.
33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” and they divided His garments and cast lots.
35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”
36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine,
37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
The Daily Dose 