Word@Work 198 - Mark 15:21-22
Published: Fri, 08/29/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 15:21-22 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. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). (NIV)
Cyrene has more mentions in the Bible than most people would expect (see also Acts 2:10, 6:9, 11:20, 13:1). Now known as Tripoli in Libya, this early Greek colony had encouraged Jewish settlement, but by Jesus' time the Jews were oppressed and restless. Although they saw Israel as 'home' they felt like aliens everywhere - a good grounding for missionary work! Simon was one of those Jews who had travelled to Jerusalem for the feast (as many others did at Pentecost (cf Acts 2:10). His experience was to change his family too.
The dreadful figure of Jesus, staggering with the weight of His own cross-piece, slowing down the march to Calvary, demanded a change of plan. Simon was probably just standing there, watching the macabre procession - when suddenly a Roman officer commanded him to take Jesus' place under the seven stone wooden beam. He would not be crucified, but how was he to know? (The Cyrenean Jews were an underclass to the Romans, and he may have feared for his life). Despite Simon Peter's earlier protests that he would support Jesus, Simon of Cyrene was the only one to physically sample the load that Jesus carried to the cross. Mark's mention of the sons, Alexander and Rufus, shows they were well known to the church in Rome (cf Rom 16:13) as believers in Jesus. Crucifixion day had transformed the family!
The modern Western view, that children should not be impressed by their parent's beliefs and ideas, is nonsense in the majority world. It is a part of our parental responsibility to pass on the best that we have learned; and to lead our families to embrace the values we have cherished. Simon was clearly so deeply impressed by Jesus, that he took the story home. Let's get over our secular conditioning, and be real family leaders - telling the children and grandchildren the wonderful things that the Lord has done for us; and how He took the all the burden that was on our shoulders, when He died on the cross. They need to know!
Prayer: Father God. Although my work is important to me, I know that I have even greater responsibilities to my family and close friends. Help me not to ignore their spiritual needs or assume that they will find their own way, when I know the Way and can lead them to Him. For His Name's sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Cyrene has more mentions in the Bible than most people would expect (see also Acts 2:10, 6:9, 11:20, 13:1). Now known as Tripoli in Libya, this early Greek colony had encouraged Jewish settlement, but by Jesus' time the Jews were oppressed and restless. Although they saw Israel as 'home' they felt like aliens everywhere - a good grounding for missionary work! Simon was one of those Jews who had travelled to Jerusalem for the feast (as many others did at Pentecost (cf Acts 2:10). His experience was to change his family too.
The dreadful figure of Jesus, staggering with the weight of His own cross-piece, slowing down the march to Calvary, demanded a change of plan. Simon was probably just standing there, watching the macabre procession - when suddenly a Roman officer commanded him to take Jesus' place under the seven stone wooden beam. He would not be crucified, but how was he to know? (The Cyrenean Jews were an underclass to the Romans, and he may have feared for his life). Despite Simon Peter's earlier protests that he would support Jesus, Simon of Cyrene was the only one to physically sample the load that Jesus carried to the cross. Mark's mention of the sons, Alexander and Rufus, shows they were well known to the church in Rome (cf Rom 16:13) as believers in Jesus. Crucifixion day had transformed the family!
The modern Western view, that children should not be impressed by their parent's beliefs and ideas, is nonsense in the majority world. It is a part of our parental responsibility to pass on the best that we have learned; and to lead our families to embrace the values we have cherished. Simon was clearly so deeply impressed by Jesus, that he took the story home. Let's get over our secular conditioning, and be real family leaders - telling the children and grandchildren the wonderful things that the Lord has done for us; and how He took the all the burden that was on our shoulders, when He died on the cross. They need to know!
Prayer: Father God. Although my work is important to me, I know that I have even greater responsibilities to my family and close friends. Help me not to ignore their spiritual needs or assume that they will find their own way, when I know the Way and can lead them to Him. For His Name's sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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