“A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)”

Mark 15:21 NLT

There are a lot of mysteries when it comes to Scripture, and this is one of them – Simon from Cyrene. A man who had never been mentioned before and a man who would never be mentioned again in the Gospel story. I don’t know what happened to him after he helped Jesus carry His cross, but I can only imagine that it was life changing!

I envision an awful mess! Jesus – tired and bloody – carrying an undeserved cross. Some people cheering. Some people mourning. The confusion of the moment. The corruption of the Passover.

All Simon wanted to do was celebrate the freedom, renewal and faith of his people. But instead, He was thrust into the spotlight of following Jesus. And he found it was not an easy task as the cross is a heavy burden to bear.

I can’t imagine how Simon felt when he had to give up his own way that day to carry the cross of Jesus! He was commanded to share the weight of the cross and to suffer for hours as they made their way up to the top of the hill. But what an honor it must have been to be a part of the work of God – even if it was just a small part. His submission to the powers that be to sacrifice his day to suffer with Jesus, I must say, is inspiring and admiring.

But I am thankful that we live on the other side of that cross! Simon was forced to follow Jesus. But we are left with a choice.

Jesus told his disciples long before his crucifixion that “If any of you want to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

And taking up your own cross is hard! But just as Simon is forever identified with Jesus, when we walk in the footsteps of Jesus – submitting ourselves to Him, sacrificing our own desires, and suffering for the sake of good – we too, become forever a part of God’s plan.

When you choose to follow Jesus, the mysteries of the Gospel begin to unfold. The power of the cross is displayed. And the Life of the Holy Spirit is declared! This mystery was revealed to the early disciples when the grave was found empty. And it’s revealed to us when we empty ourselves.

It might sound like an easy choice to make. But it’s not an easy journey. Carrying our cross is hard work! But we can be confident that the suffering we endure by denying ourselves for Christ will bring joy in the morning because we become the work of God!

“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”

1 Peter 2:21 NLT

Saturday Soul Search