Mark 15:21
And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
Tag: Pressed into Service
The above story of Simon of Cyrene is found also in Matthew and Luke's account of the crucifixion. The text says that the Roman Soldiers "compelled" him into the service of carrying the cross for Jesus. It is supposed that Jesus was, at this point in the crucifixion rituals was too weak to carry the cross. It would seem as though Simon's role was to come along side Jesus to relieve that burden. At first glance this seems odd. Remember, in our Christian walk it is Jesus who comes along side us. When we are stumbling and weak, it is Jesus who helps us bear "our cross" for Him. Yet, in this case it is Simon who is compelled to carry the cross for Christ. Since this place was directly on a major location in Jerusalem it is supposed that Simon would have been coming in, from Rome (he has a Roman name) to attend Passover in Jerusalem. It might be "chance" this this man was selected from the crowd, but not when we believe in the sovereignty of God. Simon's sons are mentioned in the text indicating that the Roman readers of this book (Mark is writing to Christians living in Rome) were obviously familiar with these two men. It might be presumed that God is showing us that when Christ died on the cross He died for us and our sins were there on the cross with Him. We are "in Christ" at this point (believers). We share in the His sufferings on the cross with Him. He was there in our stead, but Simon's carrying the cross for this distance is a great picture of our fingerprints on that cross. Christ was there to represent us, but we were there with Him as He suffered. Simon's sons would eventually come to Christ. Their father played significant role in the crucifixion by identifying all mankind should be on that cross. However, Simon only had to carry it. Christ had to die on it. Simon would be relieved of the suffering of carrying it and Christ would take it from him, but this time with the nails also. We own the cross. Our hands are on it. But, Christ took it from us and died in our place. Simon, like the First Man Adam, was demonstrating that we are part of this. But, Christ hung, alone, for us.
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