Title Simon of Cyrene/Mark 15:21-32
Contents
A large crowd followed Jesus, both yesterday and today. However, the purpose of the crowds following Jesus was different. Some people wanted to get bread from Jesus, to gain honor and glory, others to be sick and be healed, but some of them followed Jesus to learn the truth of Jesus and be with Him. During Jesus' short public life, he followed Jesus with the anticipation of the Messiah. Then, when Jesus died on the cross, they were all scattered. Beloved disciples and those who received grace were scattered. However, there were a few who followed Jesus to the end. They were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother, Salome, and many other women followed Jesus, beating their breasts and weeping. Not only that, but there were also Roman soldiers who followed to crucify Jesus. However, among them, there was only one person who carried the cross of Jesus and followed him, and that person was a man named 'Simon' who lived in Cyrene.
1. Simon Cyrene
2. The One Who Carried the Crosses
Simon of Cyrene must have had two minds intersecting now. "Unfortunately, how could I have to bear the crucifixion of these damned sinners!." Another thought is, “Thank you, Jesus, whom I have longed for so fervently. Of course, it is an infinite honor to be able to bear the cross instead. I hope that I will serve the Lord more diligently through this opportunity and that all my family members will become people of the true God!" Simon of Cyrene must have happily carried the cross with the latter of these two hearts, with a grateful heart.
Isn't there a cross you unwittingly carry in your life today because of Jesus? And didn't you run away from it in resentment and fear because of it? Or is it the image of a woman who just follows Jesus, crying helplessly? Or are you the one who knows all the difficulties of the church as the cross of the Lord and comes before the Lord saying, “Lord, here I am, so that I may carry your cross with joy”?
Thousands of people in the past followed Jesus by eating bread from the five diseases, healing various diseases, seeing miracles, and cheering. Even now, many people have ups and downs in believing in Jesus as their Savior and following Him. However, there are few who are looking at the cross of the last suffering. There are few people who keep the church and keep the faith in difficult times.
But don't be too heartbroken. Because this is the path the Lord has walked, and it is the path of glory that cannot be walked without tears.
3. A martyr who took up the cross forcibly
Today we must not only receive the grace of the Lord, but also participate in the procession of suffering that the Lord desires. Surprisingly, Simon of Cyrene's dedicated cross presented a surprising challenge and shock to the Apostle Peter, who was a fugitive. The Apostle Peter said to himself, “I am a disciple of Jesus, and what am I doing now as a fugitive who followed Jesus? If given a second chance to work for the Lord again, I will dedicate the rest of my life to the Lord.”
The apostle Peter, who greatly repented through Simon of Cyrene's devotion, beats his chest and weeps. “Now, no matter what happens, I will never forsake the Lord again,” he swears. Then, on the day of Pentecost, you will receive the filling of the Holy Spirit. And following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, "with the gospel, they entered Asia Minor, Samaria, and Rome, and boldly testified of the gospel." In Rome, however, Emperor Nero wanted to execute Christians.
Then the beloved disciples of Peter said, "Teacher, avoid the city of Rome, you must live." Hearing this, Peter was frightened and was running over the hill early in the morning to avoid the Roman city. Then Jesus appears again. With fear, Peter asked, “Quo Vadis Domine? (Lord, where are you going?”). At this time, Jesus left the message and disappeared, saying, “Go to the city of Rome, from which you are fleeing.”
Astonished, Peter turned back and thought, 'Now I must go with the Lord on that path of suffering.' He went into the Roman castle and surrendered himself. A large crowd gathered at the amphitheater where Peter was executed. Then Peter says: "Hang me upside down, I was a disciple who denied Jesus. I am a disciple who did not serve Jesus properly. How can such a person hang like Jesus? Please hang me upside down." He was nailed to the cross with his head facing down. Blood flowed from his mouth and nose. Because Peter knew the bright way to heaven, even though it was late, he was able to boldly carry the cross of the Lord and follow the path of suffering.
4. It was a blessing that extended to descendants.
The Bible promises glory and blessings to those who share in the sufferings of Christ. 1 Peter 4:13 says, “Rejoice in your participation in the sufferings of Christ, that you may rejoice and rejoice in His glory.”
(1) God's reward principle
Simon of Cyrene's participation in the cross of Jesus left a wonderful blessing to his descendants along with his own honorable name. When Jesus sent out his disciples, he said, "Whoever receives you receives the one who sent me" (Matthew 10:40). Also, "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the name of the righteous." Those who receive a righteous person with will receive a righteous person's reward.” (Matthew 10:41) In that sense, Simon did enough to receive the reward.
Although he thought that he was caught by mistake at the time and forced to carry the cross, it was eventually included in God's reward material. Hebrews 13:2 says, "Do not forget to entertain guests, for in this way some have unwittingly entertained angels."
(2) It is a blessing that descendants have received.
The records of the Bible tell us that Simon, who carried the cross of Jesus, became a believer and his sons became famous saints in the early church. In verse 21 of the text, “Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus,” means that Simon Cyrene had two sons, Alexander and Rufus.
However, since this writer of the Bible only gave names without introducing Alexander and Rufus, it can be seen that they have already become well-known celebrities to the Saints in Rome.
Another thing is that the Apostle Paul said in his greetings to the Roman saints, "Greetings Rufus and his mother, who is my mother" (Romans 16:13). Although the name Alexander appears in the Bible (Acts 19) :33, 1 Timothy 1:20), which is a common name, so it cannot be concluded that he was Simon's son, but there is a general consensus that Rufus is Simon's son.
If Rufus’s name is recorded in the Gospel of Mark or Paul’s letters to the Roman saints later, and if he is a person who deserves greetings from Paul, he can be seen as a person who has contributed greatly to the New Testament church. They must have been religiously respected people.
Simon accidentally witnessed the scene of Jesus' suffering, and in the midst of it, he carried the cross for a while, but his name was honored with Christ until the later generations. Not only that, but I was blessed to be recorded as a godly and blessed person for my descendants and grandchildren. Some of you may have joined the Neulpang Church after the first pioneering days and the difficult times of temple construction. These people and their children should be blessed. The Bible tells us that by giving grace to those who love God and keep His commandments, He will bring blessings to future generations.
I would like to conclude with the end of the story.
A large bell tower was erected at the Riverside Church in New York, USA. Normally, no one was looking at the bell tower because it was tall. But one day, a large crowd gathered and looked at the bell tower of the church. One of the saints is curious and asks. "Brothers, what do you see?" “Look at that cross.” So I turned to the direction he was teaching, and there was none other than a repairman who repaired the bell tower of the cross, who was working hard on the cross. It's strange, but how can people who don't normally look at the cross keep looking at them without moving, making such a fuss that a repairman is going up and cleaning the cross? Then a man came up with a brilliant idea. "Yes. There must be a person hanging on the cross so that a lot of people look at it." Likewise, "When there is someone in the church who carries the cross, the saints look to God."
The Lord is still looking for workers today. We are not just workers, but we are looking for faithful workers who bear the cross to die with all their body, mind, material, and devotion. You don't even need much. With only one person's obedience and dedication, the miracle of church revival will happen. I will pray.