Simon of Cyrene Who Compelled to Carry Jesus’ Cross
Do you know why Simon was told to carry the cross while Jesus’ disciples were there?
Actually, at that time, the disciples of Jesus were very afraid. They left Jesus at that time because they were worried about their fate. That’s why the Roman soldiers told Simon to carry the cross. That’s why Simon has a lot of importance because he supported Jesus in difficult times.
Introduction
Simon was a Jew and a native of Cyrene. The city of Cyrene is located near Libya. Simon’s role was to carry the cross of Jesus. When Jesus was crucified, the Roman soldiers there asked Simon to carry the cross and reach Golgotha. Jesus was wounded so he carried the cross of Jesus. In the beginning, Simon was a Jew, but after meeting Jesus, he accepted Christianity. Simon was a great person. Simon’s role is also very important because he was with Jesus in his last days. It is a custom among the Jews to participate in various festivals and this is what Simon did. There was a festival in Jerusalem and Simon was there for it.
Verse
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. (Matthew 27:32)
Verse
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)
Meeting of Jesus With Simon
As we know Simon was a Jew. And most of the Jewish festivals were attended by the Jews very excitedly. The crucifixion of Jesus was an important occasion for them, on which many Jews gathered. They were also the Jews who arrested Jesus. When he was ordered to be crucified, the Roman rulers tortured him a lot and beat him. Because of which Jesus had many wounds on his body and was bleeding. They then tied him to the cross and told him to carry the cross and walk with his feet to the Golgotha. Jesus was crippled with wounds so it was very difficult for him to walk. He used to fall while walking. This was wasting a lot of time for the Roman soldiers and they thought we should call someone to help Jesus and reach the Golgotha. They called a person from there who was Simeon. Simon helped Jesus to take him to the appointed place. This meeting changed Simon’s life and after Jesus, he became a Christian. There are no verses in the Bible that show that Simon became a Christian or not? But one thing definitely indicates that Simon had become a Christian because one of his two sons is mentioned in Paul‘s letter, which suggests that Simon and his family had become Christians.
Verse
As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
Verse
Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). (John 19:17)
Role of Simon’s Family
There is no authentic record of whether Simon was a Christian or not. However, he had two sons, one named Alexander and the other named Rufus. They are mentioned in the letters of the apostle Paul. This suggests that Alexander and Rufus tried to bring the message of Christianity to the people together and supported Paul in many missionary journeys. It can be inferred from this; if Simon’s sons were Christians and also preached Christianity, it is obvious that Simon would also have become a Christian after meeting Jesus.
Verse
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)
Verse
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. (Romans 16:13)
Simon’s Role in Carry Jesus’ Cross
Simon holds great importance in Christianity because he is believed to be the one who supported Jesus when no one else could. Jesus was the person who came as the savior for humanity. He forgave the sins of the people through his sacrifice. Simon was the person who helped Jesus to bear the burden of this sin. Due to this incident, Simon is given a lot of importance. Since it was not confirmed whether he became a Christian or not, the Bible still gave him a lot of importance. Can you guess the situation? His body was riddled with wounds and a very heavy cross was draped over him. Jesus was carrying the cross from his wounded body, but at that moment a man came and carried the cross on his shoulders. Won’t love arise in your heart for such a person? Of course it would, which is why Simon is so important in Christianity.
Verse
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. (Matthew 27:32)
Verse
As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
Carry Jesus’ Cross as a Symbolism
Religion is a thing with many difficulties: When you are on the straight path and guide people to the truth, many enemies would try to stop you from following that path. It is said that there are many hardships on the path of religion and every person should be able to bear these hardships and trials in order to remain steadfast. Simon’s carrying the slab is also known as a symbol because Jesus said that whoever wants to be my follower must pick up my slab and Simon practically did. This is an advice to us that we will have to face difficulties in any case, life is not a bed of roses and we have to spread the message of God through every difficulty.
Verse
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)
Verse
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
Verse
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)
Verse
As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Simon’s life is an example for us and it shows us God’s plans. All the moments that come in our lives depend on God’s plan as it was written in destiny that Jesus would crucify and Simon will help. It was a very heart-wrenching incident, but this incident taught us that there are difficulties in God’s way and to face them steadfastly is the sign of a believer. If we stick to the path of God, then we realize that these difficulties come from God and it is a test for us whether we fulfill it or not. One should act with faith.
Verse
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. (Matthew 27:32)
Verse
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)
