"A passerby named Simon, who was from Cypress was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)" (Mark 15:21 NLT)
There is no happenstance in the kingdom. There are only divine appointments. An anonymous man was plucked from the crowd to carry carry Jesus’ cross – well, he wasn’t anonymous at all. He was Simon of Cyrene; a man on a pilgrimage and the father of Alexander and Rufus, of course. And that fateful day, Simon met the Messiah who would haunt his memory forever. A simple run into tow turned into an experience he would never forget: bearing the cross of an innocent king.
The fact that Simon’s sons are mentioned holds my attention. Were they there, with their dad that day? Did they see the Savior bleeding in the street? Were their small souls scarred by the bloodlust of the crowd? Did they standby awestruck as their father served His very last needs?
Or were they older and off-scene? Two young men who would hear the story of their father’s forced service and respond favorably to the risen Savior? Were they eventually involved in the movement? Did they prove themselves critical to the gospel going forward?
What we know for certain is that their names are recorded in scripture. No one is anonymous in the Kingdom. Every person has a name and an origin story. Every soul is on an errand, a journey toward Jesus, with people reliant upon them. Every potential cross-bearer in the crowd that day and every day is a man or woman made in the image of God.
Unfortunately we treat people as disposable. Anonymity makes them replaceable. We use folks as readily as paper products and we pitch them when we’re through. God doesn’t see humanity this way. He knows exactly who each person is, where they are from and who they belong to. He remembers they are image bearers and He puts them on paths of intersection with Him: even when it’s inconvenient, costly and uncomfortable.
Only Jesus would arrange such an intimate meeting on His way to crucifixion. I don’t doubt for a moment that Simon of Cyrene’s life was deeply impacted by his association with Jesus that fateful Friday. I can’t imagine Alexander and Rufus were any less affected, because there names are in the text some two thousand years later.
It’s critical to remember; there’s no happenstance in the kingdom. Everyone is someone when we understand the imago dei. The simplest interactions have eternal significance. We must learn to wield each day with utmost spiritual care; there are souls that hang in the balance. Every last one counts in the Kingdom.
"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, " (Colossians 3:17 NLT)
Lord, please forgive us for treating people as disposable. Scripture confirms divine appointments. You care for the souls around us. Keep our eyes peeled as we search out imago dei. There is no anonymity in the Kingdom. Amen.