Simon compelled to carry His Cross
As the Roman soldiers came out of Praetorium, the judgment hall of Pilate, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, him they compelled to bear His Cross" (Matt.27:32). Mark writes that Simon who passed by that place, was coming out of the country (Mark 15:21). He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Luke writes that as the soldiers led Jesus away, they laid hold upon Simon, and laid the Cross on him that he might bear it after Jesus (Luke 23:26).It is seen very clearly that the soldiers compelled Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear the Cross after Jesus. When Jesus was bearing His Cross, the soldiers found Simon on the way and compelled him to bear the Cross for Jesus. What a great privilege for Simon to bear the Cross of Jesus Christ! Simon only carried his cross and not the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was only worthy to carry His Cross. Just because Simon carried the Cross of Jesus Christ, he cannot take the place of the Son of God. Simon in fact carried his own cross which was ordained of God. Simon did suffer while carrying this cross.
Cross bearing is the great privilege of the disciples of Christ Jesus. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you have no other way but to carry your cross. If you do not deny yourself, carry your cross and follow Jesus Christ, you cannot be His disciple at all. You have to fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in your flesh for His body's sake, which is the Church ( Col.1:24). Please note that you are not carrying the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ but your own cross. In your Christian life, you have to bear your cross which is a compulsion. You have your own cross which may be different from my cross and from the crosses of other members of the same Body of Christ. By cross-bearing, you are filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in your life.
Today we find the name of Simon written in golden letters in the glorious gospel. Similarly, your name is written in the books of life.
Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, as we meditate on the Passion of Christ these days, let us thank God for our crosses that we bear. As we bear our crosses, the glory of His cross will be revealed in our lives. This glory will be manifested in your life to such an extent that others may be saved, healed and blessed through your ministry.
- Job Anbalagan