By Aimee Anderson

Simon of Cyrene has intrigued me for many years.  He’s an interesting man in the gospels.  You remember, he’s the guy who carried our Lord’s cross when Jesus couldn’t take one more step because of His heavy load.

This is what I’ve observed from this man:  he was chosen, called out from the crowd, to help our hurting Jesus.  It was a daunting task.  Something he didn’t volunteer to do, but was forced by the Roman soldiers.  Simon saw Jesus’ wounds up close.  He saw blood dripping from the crown of thorns.  He witnessed more beatings to Jesus on the road to Calvary.  He saw people spit on our Lord.

Perhaps he was ridiculed as he carried the cross, just like Jesus was.  Simon “looked” like a criminal carrying a cross.  He may even have declared himself an innocent man to those he passed by (sneering at Jesus).  He wanted to appear as an innocent man carrying a guilty man’s cross.

Actually, Simon was not innocent.  He deserved that type of death, just like you and I deserve it.  Rom. 3:10 ”There is none righteous, no not one.”  Rom. 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death (ouch!), but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (praise God!).  Jesus was pierced with our nails, He wore our crown, He took our beatings so we could have a right relationship with Him and Father God.  Eph. 1:7 states “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace .”

The cross was heavy, awkward, rough, and already blood-stained from Jesus’ open back and dripping head.  What thoughts might have gone through Simon’s mind and heart the day he realized the blood of Jesus cleansed him from all his sins?  It was that blood that stained Simon’s clothes as he carried the cross of Christ.  You may have sung these songs: “What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”  “It’s your blood that gives me strength from day to day, it will never, never, never lose its power.”  

Simon was forced to carry the cross, a definite burden on him, but in doing so, I’m sure he received a special blessing in heaven.  Imagine being the only person in history to help Jesus lighten His load at His lowest time on earth.  None of the disciples offered to do this or even admit he was a follower of Jesus.  One Simon (Cephas or Peter) told Jesus at the Last Supper that he would die for Jesus; another Simon (of Cyrene) fulfilled Gal. 6:2 “Bear one another’s burden and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Jesus tells us He didn’t come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.  None of us can experience what Simon of Cyrene did as he carried our Lord’s cross.  But we can pray daily and ask Jesus how can we serve Him today.  Perhaps God has some unique service prepared only for you to do.  He’s made you different from everybody else.  You have gifts and talents that God can use, which He’s bestowed only upon you.  Eph. 2:10 says, “We are His workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Walk in those good works today.

What is God asking you to do for Jesus that seems absurd, difficult, perhaps even being caught off guard?  Pray and ask Jesus today what your cross looks like.  As heavy as the task may be, carry it through for Jesus.  You will receive untold blessings and be honored among the saints.

Jesus died for you, now you must live for Him.

(Originally published in The Seeds of Life Seasonal 2004 edition – a publication of the Calvary San Diego Women’s Ministry.)

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