Carrying the cross

And Simon of Cyrene, who was forced to carry Jesus’ cross, in Mark 15v22, what did he make of it all?

Did he understand Jesus?

We don’t know.

We aren’t told.

Though it sounds as if Alexander and Rufus, Simon’s sons, were known to Mark’s readers.

Perhaps they became Christians.

There is a Rufus mentioned among the Christians at Rome, in Paul’s letter to them.

Could this be the same man?

Could it be that Simon became a follower of Jesus?

Maybe Mark sees here a picture of discipleship.

Simon literally carried Jesus’ cross and perhaps followed Jesus.

Maybe later he came to understand Jesus’ words from Mark 8:34:

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

What is Jesus saying?

He means we must be willing to die for him – to go to the cross with him.

And to say “no” to ourselves and “yes” to him.

To die to sin and self, that we might live for Jesus in the power of his resurrection.