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.
Mark 15:21
Only the gospel of Mark shares this brief encounter: “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.” Simon was heading into the city as Jesus was going out to a hill called Calvary. But then a soldier grabbed Simon by the arm and barked out his orders. As Simon lifted that heavy cross from Jesus’ bleeding shoulders, the Lord must have experienced a brief moment of relief.
This story makes me think of other people who bear difficult loads. They may be about to stagger under the weight. Who will help? Like Simon, you may be going in one direction and they in another. But then your paths cross, and you have an opportunity to put the weight on your shoulder—if only for a minute.
Lord, help me remember Your words about how if I’m able to help even the least of my brothers and sisters, it’s the same thing as helping and serving You. When I offer to carry someone else’s cross for a brief time—praying for them, encouraging them, helping them in practical ways—You count it as if I had carried Your cross. Don’t let me be in such a hurry today that I miss an opportunity to carry someone else’s load.
