Entering the Season of Lent: Called to Share the Burden
Entering the Season of Lent: Called to Share the Burden

Passover is the sacrificial celebration of freedom and deliverance for the Jews because God rescued them out of bondage in Egypt. Before Christ fulfilled the Old Testament law of sacrifice through His death and resurrection, it was mandatory for male Jews to go to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Simon of Cyrene traveled from North Africa to celebrate Passover and to fulfill the Old Testament law, but the Roman soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross to Golgotha. Carrying the cross of guilt was a great humiliation for Simon, but sharing the burden of Jesus brought him into direct contact with the true Passover lamb.Galatians 6:2 states, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Simon of Cyrene, though not guilty of a crime, carried the cross - a symbol of guilt. Jesus, though not guilty of a crime, carried the sins of the world on that cross. Mark 15:21 implies that Simon’s sons were known among the believers of the early church. We might infer that Simon’s humiliation and contact with Jesus’ may have had a significant spiritual and eternal impact on him and his family for generations.Like Simon of Cyrene, God calls us to take part in this divine act by shouldering the burden of others. eduKenya exists to help carry the burden for children and families in the Mathare slum and to share the life-changing truth of Christ. The goals of eduKenya go far beyond the children who attend Kwa Watoto School, and include their children and their children’s children. eduKenya’s hope is to see the legacy of transformation in Mathare for generations.Most people in the Mathare community struggle beneath the crushing burdens of extreme poverty, hunger, disease and violence. Are you called to help shoulder the burden alongside these children and families in Mathare? There are multiple ways to help as part of the eduKenya team - prayer, volunteering and financial support. Prayerfully consider how you may help shoulder the burden.Submitted by: Kathie Friedel

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