A Cross to Carry: Mark 15:21
“21) They *pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross.” Mark 15:21
Details of Simon of Cyrene are limited and sketchy. He is mentioned in Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21 and Luke 23:26. Each account indicates he was a bystander and was pressed into the task of carrying the cross of Jesus. He did not volunteer.
Luke indicates that he had come in from the country. The Roman soldiers placed the cross on him and he followed behind Jesus. The battered, fatigued and exhausted Jesus was still the focal point of the story.
Possibly, Simon and his family were in Jerusalem to keep the Passover. Mark adds the detail that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. It is not clear if they were with their father on this fateful occasion or were commonly known by the early Christians.
The name Rufus is also used in Romans 16:13. It is unknown whether he was the same son of Simon of Cyrene. Rufus and his mother were beloved by Paul and the early church.
Roman soldiers had the authority the compel any man to carry a load for one mile. (Matthew 5:41) This may help explain the compelling force used on Simon for the task of carrying the cross of Jesus.
So now we come to the big question; “Why did God include these details in the biblical narrative?” An equally troubling question is why did not one of the disciples or followers of Jesus dispersed in the crowd step forward and volunteer? Why a random stranger?
We often think in terms of taking up our cross and following Jesus. What a twist in thinking that we need to set aside our plans and ambitions and instead help carry the cross of Jesus.
I will leave you to wrestle with this story and any personal application God may intend for your life. Be flexible enough for God to interrupt your plans and schedule for something of eternal significance.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“21) They *pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross.” Mark 15:21
Details of Simon of Cyrene are limited and sketchy. He is mentioned in Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21 and Luke 23:26. Each account indicates he was a bystander and was pressed into the task of carrying the cross of Jesus. He did not volunteer.
Luke indicates that he had come in from the country. The Roman soldiers placed the cross on him and he followed behind Jesus. The battered, fatigued and exhausted Jesus was still the focal point of the story.
Possibly, Simon and his family were in Jerusalem to keep the Passover. Mark adds the detail that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. It is not clear if they were with their father on this fateful occasion or were commonly known by the early Christians.
The name Rufus is also used in Romans 16:13. It is unknown whether he was the same son of Simon of Cyrene. Rufus and his mother were beloved by Paul and the early church.
Roman soldiers had the authority the compel any man to carry a load for one mile. (Matthew 5:41) This may help explain the compelling force used on Simon for the task of carrying the cross of Jesus.
So now we come to the big question; “Why did God include these details in the biblical narrative?” An equally troubling question is why did not one of the disciples or followers of Jesus dispersed in the crowd step forward and volunteer? Why a random stranger?
We often think in terms of taking up our cross and following Jesus. What a twist in thinking that we need to set aside our plans and ambitions and instead help carry the cross of Jesus.
I will leave you to wrestle with this story and any personal application God may intend for your life. Be flexible enough for God to interrupt your plans and schedule for something of eternal significance.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
