"A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and teh soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus)."
Reading the crucifixion story I came across this little gem of a verse. Now remember that this gospel was primarily for the Gentiles, and I just thinking about what the writer says .... Simon the father of Alexander and Rufus. The audience knew of these two people. Isn't it amazing that we have this great account of the ministry of the cross, before it became a common phrase in today's churches?!
Simon from Cyrene -- a northern Africa town, came from the countryside, some soldiers ordered him to help this 'stranger' with the cross ... this was no doubt a horrible thing for a stranger to come into, and through this experience we have his children being known intimately by the gospel writer and the church.
Jesus ministry continues even when he's carrying the cross, and something must of clicked in the heart of Simon, for this experience to of touched his family. Simon didn't just pick up the cross, do what he was told, and then run away from what was a pretty stressful situation. Through this hardship he learned something about Jesus. I'm wondering if he stood and watched this Jesus who died, and when he heard that this man that he carried the cross for, rose from the dead .. what was going through Simon's mind at the time.
This is a great example of God using a tragic thing, and still changing lives. While Christ was still carrying the cross, God moved the heart of a man. Very awesome.
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