Compelled to bear his cross:
Matthew 27:32. “And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.”
Cyrene was a city of Libya, in north Africa, lying west of Egypt. Cyrene had a large Jewish population, and Simon was very likely in Jerusalem for the Passover, along with so many others he was going frequently to Jerusalem. It had a Jewish community where 100,000 Jews had been forced to settle during the reign of Ptolemy Soter (323–285 BC). The Cyrenian Jews had a synagogue over there.
Simon:
Many suppose Simon was of African descent. Mark adds that Simon was the father to Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21).
Mark is sure that his readers were aware of these brothers Alexander and Rufus who they were. We can recall that Mark was associated with Peter as a Gospel writer, and Peter is associated with Rome.
It has also been suggested that the Rufus mentioned in Romans 16:13 is the son of Simon of Cyrene. Some also link Simon himself with the "men of Cyrene" who preached the Gospel to the Greeks in Acts 11:20, and 19:33.
Forced cross:
The act implied that our Lord was sinking beneath the burden, and that the soldiers began to fear that He might die before they reached the place of execution. Taking the cross from Jesus the soldiers compelled one Simon to bear it. Luke 23:26 says that they laid on him.
Romans, members of the invading class who saw themselves as ethnically superior to everyone, so they singled out Simon. Because he was dark-skinned, and they wanted to humiliate him too. But what a privilege to carry the cross of Jesus.
According to Luke, Simon was chosen so suddenly and unexpectedly for the heavy task. The way of teaching of Luke was that we don’t always choose the moment of our cross bearing?
Only God knows. We don’t always choose the moment of our suffering. They come upon us in unexpected ways, frightening ways, heavy ways, painful ways, seemingly random ways.
The fact that Simon was walking behind Jesus also he was seeing the walk to Golgotha from almost the same perspective. He was seeing righteous people weep, the vicious people taunt and was close enough to Jesus. He got a secondhand taste of the burdens Jesus was carrying.
Simon's act of carrying the cross, was the fifth or seventh stations of the cross. Some would like to interpret that Simon was chosen because he may have shown sympathy with Jesus. However, there is no basis to consider the carrying of the cross an act of sympathetic generosity.
Matthew Henry suggests it may be that they saw Jesus was about to die under the burden and they were so bloodthirsty or fearful of punishment from Pilate that they wanted to make sure he survived for the remaining torture.
Voluntary Commitment:
Paul says that he was caught, he was arrested, he was commissioned to do certain things for the kingdom of God. (Philippians 3:12). Jesus grabbed hold of me for just this purpose.(CBV). But Paul identified himself as a bond servant or slave in the house of God. He cherished in the title of the slave rather than an adopted Son of God, minister of the Word or an apostle of the Lord. He thought the best title was I am the servant of God.
Moses said to GOD, “Why are you treating me this way? What did I ever do to you to deserve this? Did I conceive them? Was I their mother? So why dump the responsibility of this people on me? Why tell me to carry them around like a nursing mother, carry them all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people who are whining to me, ‘Give us meat; we want meat.’ I can’t do this by myself—it’s too much, all these people. If this is how you intend to treat me, do me a favor and kill me. I’ve seen enough; I’ve had enough. Let me out of here.” (Numbers 11:11-15 MSG).
According to the Ascension of Moses had a blessed death:
Moses had a rich funeral service after his death, his body was buried by Michael after secured from Satan who was trying to take him to the camp. Satan wanted to make shim another idol of worship for the Israelites but Michael took the upper hand and buried him. It was Said that the Chamuel (angel of death) came to Moses and asked him to come with him. He did not allow him to touch, he prayed for the entry into Canaan, but he was denied, then he requested to live without death, then God said you can’t enter into the presence of God. So he agreed that he must be taken by God and not by angel of death, finally God kissed him and his soul was taken to heaven.
Elijah who was so much discouraged after great victory but had wonderful experience of rapture. (2 Kings 2:11).
We should run the race in midst of challenges and struggles. Because the Lord is going to keep us under his wings. He has promised us to give eternal life.
Prayer:
We must be ready to say, O Lord, to bear the cross thou hast appointed us, and help us to take it up daily with cheerfulness, and following you.
