Gtcotr/ws093020
It was in the spring of the year AD 30 when a man from the north African city of Cyrene showed up in Jerusalem with his two young sons. He had come to observe the Feast of Passover in obedience to the Law God gave the Israelites through Moses.
Deuteronomy 16:16 directed all males to appear before the
Lord at three major feasts each year … Passover was one of those feasts. It is
uncertain if Simon’s wife had accompanied the family on this journey but it is
reasonable to assume she did, just like Mary and most other Jewish wives
accompanied their husbands and families to Jerusalem during these special holy
days.
This year, however, was different. It had to be noticeable
to anyone who’s heart was open to the Lord. Simon was on a collision course
with destiny. Although he could not have known how this trip would change his
life, he had to have felt something special. He was a man marked by God to play
a significant role in the unfolding plan of God.
Simon the Cyrene, as he would be known and spoken of by
scholars and peasants, was about to experience the opportunity of a lifetime,
and his sons would stand as witness.
Very little is written about Simon the Cyrene. He has only
one short verse repeated in only 3 of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Yet, we know so much about him.
During the next few minutes, I hope Simon will change your
life like he changed mine many years ago.
Let’s read that one verse from the book of Mark.
Mark 15
21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a
Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the
country and passing by, to bear His cross.
It is evident that Simon is an important player in the
plan of God. The writers of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were all inspired to ensure
that we knew his name and to make certain we knew exactly which Simon this was.
- ·
He was Simon the Cyrenian
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But of much greater identification, is the
fact that he was the father of Rufus and Alexander
It is reasonable that the writers of Matthew, Mark, and
Luke wanted to connect the readers in some personal way with this obscure man
named Simon who was from a province in northern Libya. The Holy Spirit packs
volumes of intended information and life changing revelation in every account
noted in the scriptures. It is evident that the reason why the Holy Spirit
inspired these writers to make this connection between Simon and his sons is
because the church, in that period, knew his sons.
25 years later the Apostle Paul, writing his letter to the church in Rome, mentions what many scholars and what church tradition tells us is the family of Simon the Cyrene in his salutation by name.
Romans 16:13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord and his mother and mine.
We will connect these dots a little more in just a moment.
For now, let me share 3 things I have learned from Simon the Cyrene that has
helped me to shape my life over these past 40 years of service to Jesus.
1. His family knew he was faithful. Simon
was under the Jewish mandate from God to attend the Feast of Passover. However,
he could have easily exempted himself from this yearly trip since it was more
than an 1,100 mile trip to walk along the coastal highway or to take a ship as
an alternative transport to Alexandria, Egypt and then up the coast to Joppa,
making the rest of the journey on foot. This route was the most expensive.
Nonetheless, Simon, not only obeyed the Word of God through Moses, but he also
made provision to carry his family along.
a. He
was a good father.
b. He
believed in the value of carrying his children to church.
c. He
demonstrated his faith at great personal expense.
d. He was
a rare and remarkable man.
e. There is no doubt Simon's faithfulness impacted and shaped the lives of his sons. Not only was Simon chosen by God, but evidently, so was his family.
f. I believe the Holy Spirit intended to show us the kindness and inclusion God ordained to the man who helped Jesus carry His cross to Calvary.
2. He taught me to never complain when I am compelled to carry another
man’s cross.
a. It
might be the cross of Christ.
b. Jesus
needs more help than we might imagine.
i. The
help Jesus most often needs is physical.
ii. It
could be embarrassing or costly in many ways.
iii. God does not first seek our permission before He upsets our plans.
iv. Can
you imagine being asked to carry the cross of Jesus in that moment, under those
circumstances, and amongst that crowd?
c. Simon
the Cyrene did what Jesus could not do … a rare instance … (Joseph of
Arimathea; Nicodemus)
3. My intersection with Christ will be the only lasting legacy of my
life.
a. I am
a man of destiny.
i. You
may not know my prologue and you may not know my epilogue … there’s always more
to a person’s story than what we realize … but we are all children of destiny.
ii. God
was with me before you met me and He will be with me after we part.
b. What
I do for Jesus is what matters most.
c. We
are people of destiny.
i. Nothing
happens by coincidence.
ii. We
are chosen of God.
iii. I
believe everyone feels that they are special in some way … it’s because we all
are.
Does your family know that you are faithful?
·
Do they see and hear your pray?
·
Do they experience you trusting God?
·
Do you take your family on spiritual
adventures?
Wouldn’t it be nice if one sentence written about our lives would change the lives of so many for generations to come?
I encourage you to not complain when compelled to carry a burden which rightly belongs to Jesus. He may need your help more than you realize.
