Tuesday Evening Devotion
Scripture
As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. (Matthew 27:32)
And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. (Mark 15:21)
And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
Reflection
Jesus, weakened by the flogging, cannot make it up the hill with his cross. He stumbles and falls, the wooden beams of the cross pressing Him to the pavement. The Roman soldiers see Simon of Cyrene entering through the Lion's Gate. "You," they exclaim. "Help this man." Simon reluctantly bends to help. He lifts the cross to his back, staring intently into the face before him, crown of thorns pressed into his forehead, rivulets of blood running down a swollen face. "What if they confuse me, carrying this cross, for this man, and crucify me?" He stands and takes up the cross and follows Jesus to the hill of crucifixion.
Jesus had challenged His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Simon of Cyrene, though not bearing the weight of our sin, bears the weight of this wooden cross. In this moment Simon—a man alongside Jesus, bearing a cross—is a portrait of a true disciple.
What does it mean for us to follow the Lord by taking up our cross daily? What sacrifice of service is too great for you to bear?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Simon of Cyrene was commanded to take up the cross of your Son, to carry the instrument of His death, as an aid for the Lord. What are you calling us to, that is a sacrifice too great for us to bear, that can only be borne by your Holy Spirit strengthening us? Open our ears to hear your voice. Move our hearts to your service. Help us to pick up the cross you call us to carry so you may be lifted up before all people. To the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Artwork: Simon of Cyrene relief in Bayern, Germany, Simon of Cyrene Compelled to Carry the Cross with Jesus by James Tissot, and The Carrying of the Cross by Peter Paul Rubens.