Faces of the Cross (Part 2)
This painting shows Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross of Jesus Christ. Mark’s gospel gives a very brief account of Simon’s interaction with Jesus: “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). From this one verse we can learn several things:
1) Simon was from Cyrene, a location in northern Africa, and he was probably in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Cyrene was one of the intellectual centers of the ancient world and it was especially known for its famous medical school.
2) Tradition tells us that Simon’s sons, Rufus and Alexander, eventually became Christian missionaries. The fact that their names are included in Mark’s gospel indicate that they were probably known in the early Christian community in Rome.
3) Simon’s journey was abruptly interrupted by the command to carry the cross of Jesus, a very difficult task that required carrying a crossbeam weighing up to 40 pounds. Simon was forced into this uncomfortable, challenging, and unsophisticated position by the Roman soldiers who were given the authority to put someone into service at any time. A soldier would simply walk up to a person, tap the individual on the shoulder with the head of a spear, and issue a command.
I’m sure Simon initially resented the fact that he was given manual labor, especially considering he may have been all dressed up for worship at the temple. We all know how it feels to get dirty and sweaty right before heading out the door to a formal event. Yet, through the encounter with Jesus on the road to Calvary, Simon must have undergone a heart change. Imagine looking the Savior of the world in the eyes; ponder the power of compassion in Jesus’ bloodied face. Simon’s daily routine was broken by a tragic, yet life-giving, moment of grace. When God interrupts our agendas, we need to be aware that whatever spontaneous event is replacing our pre-scheduled plan is going to leave a lasting, transformational impression because God changes us through the unplanned times of life.
How do you face interruptions? Do they build resentments and fortify bitter walls, or are they embraced as strategic acts of God that will ultimately bring about spiritual growth and maturity? Through Simon’s interruption, he came face to face with Jesus. The same is possible for us as well.