SIMON: FOUND BY GRACE

N8

 Simon: Found by grace

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 15:21NIV

Just one verse and one mention but it changed the course of the entire story. A great number of has people has claimed they found their purpose in life and peace with God when they went before the Cross. But here is a man to whom the Cross went. Some went in search of Calvary because they have lost everything but here is a man who was not even interested in the Cross but the grace found him.

I want to let you know that this story was documented some years after the actual event. Simon of Cyrene was not a believer before this time. It is even possible that his entire family had no interest in all this talk about a Jew who claimed to have been sent by God for the salvation of the whole world.

It is possible that he heard rumors of the birth of the messiah but he was not interested. He probably heard about the killing of some children by Herod but he was too occupied with his private life.

Then, all the stories about many miracles of healing, casting out of demons, multiplication of bread and walking on the water all performed by the one they called the messiah but Simon was not interested.

A time came when the discussions in his city revolved around the man called Jesus of Nazareth, some spoke for him while others spoke against him, but Simon did not want to be distracted..

It is possible someone came to tell his family that the man Jesus of Nazareth has been arrested and they were about to crucify him but Simon picked up his back sack and went to work.

While Pilate battled to make the crowd to change their minds but failed; then they took Jesus Christ to be tortured, His cloths ripped off and beaten like a criminal, Simon was not interested. They placed a crown of thorns on His head and struck his head with mock royal staff, Simon was busy with his life.

Then they dragged Him out and placed a heavy cross on His shoulder and instructed Him to carry it to the place He would later be crucified.

Every moment made the sufferings of Jesus heavier; most people were sorry but no one offered to help.

It was in this moment that Simon came by; he did not come to observe; he did not come in scrutiny and he did come to understand why all this suffering by the son of God.

As was his habit, he wanted to walk past and continue with his old life.

That was when divine providence moved the heart of the soldiers; God had to employ the soldiers who will then apply force. Our main text said that they forced him to carry the cross for Jesus. The account indicates that once he took the cross, he never dropped until they got to where Jesus was crucified. That one time he took the cross, he never walked away again. He stood there to observe the crucifixion.

I strongly believe that the impression of that one encounter remained with him. When he later got home and shared the account with his family, the glory he brought home overshadowed them too.

The result was that his entire family surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ and two of his son eventually reputed force in the Church, so that the writer of that story did not need to explain them. Simon was the father of Rufus and Alexander.

How can we be sure of this?

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Rom 16:13NIV

That was Apostle Paul talking about this well known Rufus again. Then, Simon’s wife was like a mother to Paul.

While he lived his selfish life no one knew about him. But when he put his hands to help the Lord with the cross, he found purpose. Years after, his name was enshrined in God’s book. His family found relevance.

Hear me today child of God; if you are like those who think that you can make it without Jesus.

Are you among those who think it boring to talk about Christian service?

Are you like those who will not accept the :Lord’s call to serve in the mission field?

Are you among those who fear suffering and so want to focus on becoming rich in this world’s wealth?

Let me suggest something for you; pick up the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be shocked how your life will begin to make a meaning.

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 1 Cor 1:26-30NIV

Before I let you go for now, let me sound a warning; not everyone was as fortunate as Simon. Some died before they could bow. There are those who come to carry the cross when they have wasted all of their energy chasing vanity.

Now they seem too heavy for them because their body strength has sagged.

If you are still a youth, take up the cross now.

It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Lam 3:27NIV

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"— before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain. Eccl 12:1-2 NIV