THE MAN WHO CARRIED JESUS’ CROSS

Oh, what a day that would never be forgotten in the history of both mortals and immortals; the day when an immortal-mortal was annihilated by treacherous mortals. This event has however made a peculiarly indelible impression upon history – the day Jesus Christ died. He was beaten mercilessly, mocked bitterly, insulted obscenely and spat upon awfully. All eyes were on Him with every mouth speaking about Him. The headline of the day, “Crucify Him”. He was the most wearied of men, yet He was made to carry an unbearable piece of timber unto the hill of his execution.

He was so fatigued that he could barely move any inch. Just in that moment when the whip was about to create another deep horizontal line on His back came a man – a black man from north western Africa. He was just passing by but I guess he had an incredible physique. A man with stupendous strength he was. He was Simon, a Cyrenian. (A Cyrenian is however a person from Cyrene, a city on the Mediterranean coast in Libya) This man was forced to carry the timber load of the immortal-mortal. John Mark, a close associate of Apostle Peter writes, “And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross.” (Mark 15:20-21) Simon of Cyrene was compelled to help. The Roman soldiers forced him to offer a helping hand, which he gladly without any option did.

It was a civil right to help a Roman soldier or leader whenever and wherever and even however they request of you to do so. The Cyrenian was just doing what the law demanded of him, to help even if he was compelled to. Jesus Christ did even teach that “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” (Matt. 5:41) It was a normal thing that happened in those days. Any frustrated soldier could force you to carry his luggage to accompany him even if it were not where you intend going. But these sound teachings of the Messiah encourage us to go two miles if we are compelled to go just a mile.  This man from Cyrene was compelled, and sure enough he went the extra mile by taking the Cross up unto Calvary.

His extra mile for the Lord brought about a remarkable miracle – the salvation of the nations which are not Israel. Getting back to the book of the Beginning, Genesis, we see the curse (condemnation) placed upon Ham and his descendants (9:18-28) which however were the “blacks”. Egypt is recognized as the “land of Ham” in the Bible (Psa. 78:51; 105:23; 106:22).  Here are the four sons of Ham Cush (Ethiopia), Mizraim (EGYPT), Phut (Libya), and Canaan. Simon of Cyrene nonetheless is from the loins of this unfortunate son of Noah. And countless occasions the Hamites have oppressed and fought Israel, and thus received several promises of God’s wrath. But thanks be to God that the hands of these people (black hands) were extended to help Jesus bear His Cross. How will they not receive the miracle of salvation?

That, notwithstanding the sons of Simon of Cyrene, Alexandria with Rufus was greatly blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul, who founded several churches and wrote half of the New Testament writes, “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.” (Rom. 16:13) The Apostle says that Rufus was chosen in the Lord. Because of the extra mile of Simon, his household have been honoured and chosen to work for the Lord. Anytime we labour for the Lord He surely honours us by taking from us all our encumbrances and making us His saints (or elects i.e. His children).

Such glory bestowed upon a man. A mortal who has was compelled by other mortals to carry the Cross of an immortal-mortal. Simon resisted not, but gladly went another mile with them who compelled him. He was obviously mocked by them who were obsessed with crucifying the Messiah. The shame of the Son of God was imputed on Simon too. Oh, how the shame of Christ clothe all who decided to carry the Cross and go an extra mile even if they are compelled. But the reward for such ones cannot be fathomed by anyone except Eternity. Dear friend, I urge you by the abounding love of Christ to go an extra mile for the Lord.

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By S. E. Entsua-Mensah. ©2014 Christ for Humanity Outreach 
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