So why did He pick up the cross and carry it? Why didn’t He simply refuse? They had already beaten Him half to death… what else could they have done? He knew He was going to be crucified… why carry the instrument that killed Him?
Do not forget that Jesus had the choice. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”(John 10:11,18) He could have said “no” to the whole ordeal, but He didn’t. He could have said “no” to any part, but He chose to drink the whole cup.
And He says to us, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”(Luke 9:23) As He carried His cross through Jerusalem to Golgotha, Jesus was speaking to us: “This is the way. A time will come that looks impossible, but you can make it. Watch me. I didn’t have to carry my cross; I chose to. You don’t have to follow Me; you choose to. I scorned the shame because I knew of the joy ahead. I looked past the pain, for I knew where I would end up. I spent every ounce of energy because this was the cup My Father gave Me to drink. I honored my Father in what I did… and I set you an example. Believe me when I tell you that the joy you will receive far surpasses anything you can imagine. It was worth it for me to suffer as I did! It is worth it for you to follow Me!”
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3