When
they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus.
Luke 23:26
Luke 23 [22.] He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.” But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed. Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done. He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.
Luke 23 [26.] When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus. A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’[a] For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”
Footnotes:
a. Luke 23:30 Hosea 10:8.
Meaning:
This verse describes a moment during the crucifixion narrative when Simon of Cyrene is compelled by Roman soldiers to carry the cross for Jesus. This event is significant in the story of the Passion, highlighting both the physical reality of Jesus' suffering and the symbolic meaning of bearing the cross. Let's explore the deeper implications of this passage and what it can teach us about discipleship, service, and the unexpected ways in which God calls us into His work.
- Simon’s Encounter
As Jesus was being led to Golgotha, the place of His crucifixion, He was already severely weakened from the brutal scourging and the physical torment He had endured. Carrying the cross, likely the horizontal beam called the patibulum, would have been an excruciating task, especially in His weakened state. The Roman soldiers, eager to keep the procession moving and perhaps realizing that Jesus might collapse under the weight, seized Simon of Cyrene from the crowd to carry the cross for Jesus.
Simon of Cyrene: Simon was from Cyrene, a city in North Africa, which had a large Jewish community. He was likely in Jerusalem for the Passover, a devout pilgrim who found himself suddenly thrust into the most pivotal event in human history. Simon was just "coming from the country," possibly returning from the fields or on his way to participate in the festival. His encounter with Jesus was unplanned and unexpected, yet it became a defining moment in his life.
- The Significance of Carrying the Cross
Forced to Carry the Cross: The act of being compelled by the Roman soldiers to carry the cross was a humiliating experience. Crucifixion was designed to be a public display of shame and suffering, and to be associated with it, even as an innocent bystander, would have been degrading. However, Simon’s forced participation also holds profound symbolic meaning. In carrying the cross, Simon physically shares in the burden of Jesus' suffering, an act that resonates deeply with the call to discipleship that Jesus gave earlier in His ministry: "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).
Following After Jesus: Luke specifically notes that Simon carried the cross "after Jesus." This detail is not merely logistical but deeply symbolic. To follow after Jesus, especially in the context of the Passion, is to walk the path of suffering, sacrifice, and self-denial that Jesus Himself walked. Simon’s literal following of Jesus to Golgotha mirrors the spiritual journey that every disciple is called to undertake. It reminds us that discipleship is not just about following Jesus in moments of glory but also in moments of suffering and hardship.
A Call to Service: Simon’s story highlights the unexpected ways in which we might be called to serve God and others. He did not volunteer to carry the cross, but when the moment came, he stepped into a role that was thrust upon him. In the same way, we might find ourselves called to serve in ways we did not anticipate, in situations that are difficult or uncomfortable. Simon’s example encourages us to embrace these opportunities, trusting that God can use them for His greater purpose.
- The Broader Impact of Simon’s Encounter
Although Simon’s role in the narrative is brief, it may have had a lasting impact on him and his family. As noted in the parallel accounts in the Gospels, Simon is identified as the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21). This suggests that his family became well-known in the early Christian community. In Romans 16:13, Paul sends greetings to a man named Rufus, whom he describes as "chosen in the Lord," and to Rufus’s mother, who Paul says was like a mother to him as well. If this Rufus is the same person, it implies that Simon’s experience of carrying the cross may have led to a deep and enduring faith that influenced his entire family.
Application in Our Lives
Embrace Unexpected Callings: Like Simon, we may be called to serve in ways we did not expect or desire. These moments, though challenging, can become opportunities to participate in God’s work and grow in our faith.
Follow Jesus in All Circumstances: Simon’s example reminds us that following Jesus involves more than just admiration; it requires walking with Him even in the difficult and painful moments of life. True discipleship is about staying close to Jesus, even when the path leads to suffering.
Understand the Cost of Discipleship: Simon’s encounter with Jesus challenges us to consider the cost of following Christ. Are we willing to bear the cross, to endure hardship, and to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel? Simon’s story encourages us to embrace this calling with faith and trust in God’s purposes.
Cross-References:
Matthew 27:32: "As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross." This parallel account emphasizes the act of compelling Simon, highlighting the lack of choice in his involvement.
Mark 15:21: "They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross." Mark's account includes the detail of Simon’s sons, suggesting the impact of this event on his family.
Luke 9:23: "He said to all, 'If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.'" This teaching of Jesus finds a literal expression in Simon’s act of carrying the cross, embodying the call to self-denial and following Christ even in suffering.
Conclusion: Luke 23:26, with its brief mention of Simon of Cyrene, offers profound insights into the nature of discipleship and the unexpected ways in which God calls us to serve. Simon’s act of carrying the cross for Jesus not only fulfilled a practical need in the moment but also symbolized the call to all believers to take up their crosses and follow Christ. His story reminds us that following Jesus is not always easy, but it is through these acts of service and sacrifice that we truly participate in the life and mission of Christ. Simon’s legacy, potentially influencing his family and the early Christian community, serves as a testament to the lasting impact that faithful obedience can have on the lives of others.
cross - crucifixion
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible