Simon of Cyrene was forced by the Roman soldiers to carry Jesus’ cross.
Why is this detail included in a story that had far more drama than one poor man struggling with a very unfair assignment?
Who does Simon represent?
He is each one of us. We are the one carrying the cross.
We can imagine the thrill of riding into Jerusalem to the sounds of the cheering crowds and the feelings of the palms waving around us.
We can imagine the intimate supper with friends. We might be a bit puzzled at some of the things Jesus said, but then again, there had been other times when we didn’t quite understand what He meant.
But would we follow Jesus through all that happened after that memorable supper?
Are we willing to be ridiculed and tortured? Are we willing to take up our cross and follow Him? Would He really expect that?
Yes.
Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be My Disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.”
Matthew 16:24
You might be thinking, “Wait! I didn’t sign on for this! I mean I just wanted a cross pin or a necklace … or maybe a cross to hang on the wall to remember You. But not this!”
But you suddenly realize you are on the road to certain death … an ugly, agonizing death. The weight of your cross is unbearably heavy.
What was designed to be a Tree of Life for you is now covered with your sins … both the ones others have seen and the private ones you worked so hard to cover … now exposed, along with your suffering. How did you get here?
It’s pay day!
And you earned every bit of what you now carry.
But God didn’t do it to you. Satan did. He tempted you, watched with glee as you fell, accused you and then convinced you God would punish you forever for your sins.
“For the wages of sin is death …”
Romans 6:23
Shouldn’t someone have told you this is how it would all end?
But wait! Someone is stepping out of the crowd. He is coming toward you. It is Jesus!
You look up at Him through your pain. You hear Him say, “You’ve carried this long enough and far enough. I’ll carry it the rest of the way, if you’re ready to turn loose of it.”
You use your last bit of strength to release the cross to Him. And when you do, the weight is removed!
You discover in wonder The Truth of Peter’s Words.
“He Himself bore our sins in His Body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His Wounds you have been healed.”
1 Peter 2:24
As Jesus shoulders not only your sins, but also the sins of the whole world, you discover with Joy the rest of the story.
“The wages of sin is death, but The Gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in The Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Gelatians 2:20
You walk on, following Him. You now know where you are both headed.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, The Founder and Perfecter of our faith,
Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of The Throne of God!
Hebrews 12:1-3
