God Needs You

"A friend is someone who helps you up when you're down,
and if they can't they lie down beside you and listen."
~ Unknown

So God created man in His own image ... male and female He created them... the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.
~ Genesis 1:27,2:7 (NKJV)

"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants ... but I have called you friends."
~ John 15:14-15 (NKJV)

Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.
~ Matthew 27:32 (NKJV)

How could God possibly need puny man? It seems unthinkable.

Yet only through mankind is the Lord’s attribute of mercy made known. Only in us showing how unlovable we can be is the depth of His love manifest. I daresay that the greatest commandment—love the Lord "with all heart, soul, mind and strength"—is given because God’s love is too great to not need an object to receive it and to return it.

In the story of Simon of Cyrene we see Jesus in need, for no Roman soldier would have compelled Simon to show mercy to Jesus unless Jesus was too weakened by abuse to require it.

The Creator of the universe might have called upon angels in His hour of need. God in human flesh might have chosen by divine power to never visit the place of need. But Jesus nonetheless humbles Himself and enters the place of need.

Simon thus joins Jesus on the path to Calvary so that Jesus does not walk it alone. In His hour of greatest distress, God is in fellowship with mankind.

The privilege of accompanying Jesus to Calvary is also ours. Simon was compelled by an armed soldier. We are compelled only by love. We have no greater fellowship with Jesus than to daily take up a cross of our own.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.