“As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene… and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.”

— Luke 23:26

Jesus was exhausted—beaten, tried, mocked, and now forced to carry the heavy crossbeam toward Golgotha. At some point, His strength gave way. The soldiers grabbed a passerby, Simon of Cyrene—a North African man—and pressed the crossbeam onto his shoulders.

What began as forced labor became, very likely, saving grace. Mark notes Simon as “the father of Alexander and Rufus,” names well known in the early church. Early believers clearly recognized this family. Tradition even suggests Simon may be the “Simeon called Niger” among the leaders in Antioch. In other words, the man who carried Jesus’ cross likely carried His gospel too.

Simon’s moment shows us the three ways people relate to the cross:

Judas caused the cross through betrayal.

Barabbas escaped the cross through Jesus’ substitution.

Simon carried the cross behind the Savior.

And all three live in us:

By our sin, we cause the cross.

Because of His substitutionary atonement, we escape the cross.

By His call, we take up our cross and carry it—daily, humbly, behind Him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Thank you for willingly enduring the cross for us. Forgive us for the sin that sent You there. Fill us with immense gratitude for Your mercy that set us free like Barabbas. Give us the courage and humility of Simon. May we take up our cross daily. Let us follow You with joy and faithfulness all our days. Amen.