“A certain man, from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way from the country and they forced him to carry the cross.” (Mark 15:21 NIV)
The NIV and KJV make use of the word ‘certain’ when they describe the passerby from Cyrene. We’re reminded that there are no coincidences in the Kingdom. Nothing is happenstance: everything that comes into our lives crosses God’s desk first. He allows for interruptions and entanglements on purpose.
God’s sovereignty over our situation is both a comfort and an infuriation. It’s comforting because we can rest in the supremacy of the Almighty; sure of His involvement and overall intent. It’s infuriating because sometimes our divine appointments are downright uncomfortable and even intrusive to our own plans. I’m sure Simon had somewhere to be that day; he was passing through, not sight-seeing. Yet he was compelled by the Roman guard to carry the cross of Jesus Christ.
Put yourself in Simon’s sandals. You’re eight hundred miles from home, and you happen upon an angry crowd crying out for crucifixion. There’s a terribly bloodied man dragging his death device along the narrow street. You cannot find your way through the broken mess of humanity, Suddenly, you’re grabbed by a Roman guard, forced to serve as a slave, co-laboring to carry a heavy cross all the way to Golgatha.
I cannot imagine the fear and embarrassment, the intrusion upon Simon’s story. Yet, we read of no outcry, no refusal, no kickback. Simon allowed his narrative to be completely overshadowed by Jesus’ need. His path merged with Christ’s for just a few thousand steps; long enough perhaps to affect the trajectory of his life. Perhaps his children’s, also, since their mentioned in the text. Our obedience to divine directive has a profound affect on future generations.
“Yet the Romans were the law and Simon did not have a choice – they compelled him to bear the cross. We are often blessed by the things we are compelled to do. Simon did not want to carry this cross and probably resented it terribly when he was asked. Nevertheless, it was probably the most special and memorable moment of his life.” (David Guzik)
The ugly and impossible tasks that God brings into our story: those might be the very places where the character of Christ is most powerfully formed in us. Simon was compelled to serve in a way that Jesus was already serving. Simon didn’t carry that cross alone, He carried it alongside his Savior. Whatever hard and uncomfortable thing God is allowing into your narrative today, know that He is right there beside you, cheering you on in the midst of your character-building and self-less task. May His purposes prevail.
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all that those who live shouldn’t longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV)
Lord, we aren’t fond of interruptions or re-routing, but today we see where You use unforeseen alterations in our story for Kingdom purpose. May we not rail against Your sovereignty but embrace it; sure of the fruit such travail might produce. We recognize that when there’s a cross to bear, You stay right beside us every step of the way. We submit to Your supremacy and choose to delight in the opportunity to serve. Prevail in our story, O Good and Holy King. Amen.