A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)(Mark 15:21 NLT)
In our continuing examination of the Stations of the Cross, Pastor Jim asks the question,
How did Mark know that a pilgrim from North Africa named Simon had two sons, Alexander and Rufus?
As we reflect on a letter to the Romans written many years later, it becomes quite possible that this brief mention contains the story of a man who unwittingly became a living example of service for all of us. He wasn’t asking to have his life interrupted by this gruesome task, but this first act of service seemed to have led to a lifestyle that influenced his wife, sons and some of the most notable leaders of the early church.
‘If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me.’ (Mark 8:34 CEV)
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