Narrator: The cross is a large and heavy one, not simply because of its physical composition, but because all of our sins are attached to it. Every heartache and pain, every injustice and illness, every oppression and poverty, every human misery is attached to this cross. Jesus gladly receives all of these crosses in His own cross and carries them out to His perfect love for each of us. When He reaches His destination on Calvary, our sins and hardships will be there with him. When He is nailed to the wood of the cross that will be transformed into the tree of life for all who believe, the Lord will destroy the lasting effects of sin and death.
All: Gracious Lord, how can we ever adequately thank you for taking up the cross on our behalf? Help us to accept in faith whatever trials and burdens you may send. Teach us to be patient with the faults of others and at peace in the face of trouble, for your yoke is easy and your burden is light. O Christ, you are the Savior of the world. Amen.
