City Life Starter

Written by Bebe Thomas

The Word

“As they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, days are coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us,” and to the hills, “Cover us.” For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?’”

-Luke 23:26-31 (NASB)

Reflection

In Luke 23:26-31, the narrative focus shifts from the courtroom to the roadway. Jesus, already condemned, is led to His crucifixion. Roman soldiers conscript Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross “behind Jesus,” a phrase that evokes discipleship—following Jesus in the path of suffering. The irony of this passage is profound: an involuntary act becomes a picture of true following.

• The presence of a “large crowd” and “women who were mourning” underscores public witness and genuine sorrow. Yet Jesus redirects the lament. He is not the ultimate object of pity. Rather, He warns of coming judgment upon Jerusalem. His pastoral heart speaks amid His own agony.
• “Daughters of Jerusalem” signals a prophetic address. Jesus echoes the language and tone of Old Testament lament and judgment oracles. He calls for weeping over sin and its consequences, not merely over His impending death.
• “Days are coming…” points to imminent historical judgment, likely the devastation of Jerusalem (A.D. 70). The shocking beatitude—“Blessed are the barren”—reverses normal Jewish expectations, highlighting how severe the coming days will be.
• The plea to the mountains and hills (“Fall on us… Cover us”) recalls prophetic imagery of catastrophic judgment. It conveys the terror of facing divine justice without repentance.
• “If they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Jesus contrasts His own innocence (“green wood” that should not burn) with the nation’s spiritual barrenness (“dry wood” ready for fire). If Rome treats the Righteous One thus, how much more severe will judgment be upon a guilty, unrepentant people.
• The passage holds together substitution and summons: while Jesus walks toward atonement, He simultaneously calls His hearers to sober self-examination, repentance, and preparedness for judgment.

Application

The passage challenges Christians to consider the following in their discipleship:

• Count the cost of following Jesus. Simon’s enforced service became a living parable of discipleship—carrying the cross behind Jesus. Discipleship is not convenience; it is costly obedience.
• Grieve rightly. Jesus redirects tears from mere tragedy-watching to sin-awareness. Our primary lament must be over our sin and its consequences, not only our circumstances.
• Read the times. Jesus signals real, historical judgment. We must cultivate discernment, repent without delay, and flee presumption.
• Embrace the great reversal. Earthly markers of blessing during this time—fertility, prosperity, power—are relativized under judgment. Jesus makes clear that true blessedness is to be reconciled to God in Christ.
• Take refuge in the Righteous One. If judgment falls even when “the tree is green,” how urgent it is to take shelter in Jesus before the fire reaches the “dry.”

1. Where is Jesus redirecting your tears—from sympathy for situations to repentance for sin?

2. What “cross” has providence placed on your shoulder? How can you carry it behind Jesus rather than beside or ahead of Him?

3. In what ways might you be misreading the times—minimizing the seriousness of sin or judgment?

4. How does this passage recalibrate your view of blessedness and success?

5. What practical step of repentance or restitution do you need to take this week?

6. How can your small group become a community that both mourns sin and offers hope in Christ?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You walked the road of suffering with steadfast love and holy clarity. Turn my tears toward true repentance. Teach me to carry the cross behind You with faith and humility. Deliver me from presumption; grant me discernment in perilous times. Hide me in Your righteousness, and make me an instrument of hope to those who mourn. Amen.