Mark 15:21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.
The town of Cyrene is modern-day Libya in the northern coast of Africa. Cyrene was a Roman colony during Jesus’ time that had a large Jewish population. As the hometown of Simon is mentioned, many confer Simon as an African descent. Simon was travelling to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast according to the ordinance of Moses. Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose (Deuteronomy 16:16). The details of Simon’s colour or clan has not been mentioned however, this traveler was the first to touch the precious blood of Jesus. Even though he was forced to carry the cross, the cross and the blood of Jesus would have enlightened and invigorated Simon.
There is nothing mentioned about Simon after this short episode. However, since he was the first one who experienced the cleansing power of the blood, his mind would have been renewed by the time they reached Golgotha. The closeness with Jesus would have broken the shackles of any hidden sins and the blood stains on his clothes would have healed him inside out. He might have been one among the 3,000 who were transformed by Peter’s first sermons on the day of Pentecost. We are unsure if he became a missionary to the African continent but after being drenched by the blood of Jesus, he could not have remained the same. There is a ‘Rufus’ mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Romans, Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord (Romans 16:13a), however we are not sure if this Rufus is the son of Simon from Cyrene.
The cross brought Simon close to the Saviour. The message of the cross draws us close to our Master, Jesus Christ.
Three magnetic effects of the cross:
1. Mellow: The cross mellows our bellows, brawlings and boastings. The cross exterminates conceit. Meditating on the forgiveness that we receive through the cross of Calvary makes us sympathetic to a sinner. The cross mellows our anger, pride and revenge and makes us Christ-like.
2. Morph: The sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross transforms our views and perspectives. The cross appealed to William Carey, a British missionary to serve in the poverty-stricken villages in India and David Livingstone to evangelize in Africa. Meditation on the cross morphs our mind and fills our heart with the compassion of Christ.
- Meek: The cross makes us meek and mild. The pride about our social status, educational qualifications or wealth will melt at the foot of the cross. The message from the old, rugged cross will break the barriers of bitterness, animosity and will melt the heart of stone.
The episode of Simon is unending, but the episode of the cross had a victorious ending at the resurrection of Jesus.
1 Corinthian 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, may my eyes always be fixed to gaze at the cross. Help me to see the betrayers, demeanors, and slanderers through the forgiving lens of the cross. Amen.
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