What was the significance of forcing Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross. I know that the whipping would have been horrific and Jesus would have been weak. But just wondered if there’s another reason?
Let’s read that account in Matthew 27:26-32, “Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.”
Our blessed Lord Jesus was obviously so tired and physically weak from the previous night spent without sleep, the agony that He had undergone in the Garden of Gethsemane, having been taken from place to place, and caused to stand the whole time of His trial. He suffered from lack of food, the loss of blood which He had sustained from the beatings He endured, He become so faint, that he probably fell beneath the burden of the cross, and was not able to bear its weight. The Roman soldiers therefore grabbed Simon of Cyrene and compelled him to carry the cross after Jesus. Simon’s sons, Alexander and Rufus, were with him when this happened. (Mark 15:21).
So, it appears that the Lord Jesus first had to bear His own cross (John 19:16-17), but being exhausted and physically weak was unable to carry it all the way to Golgotha, so the cross was laid on Simon to bear it after Him, or walk behind the Lord, carrying His cross for Him. I think we can all agree that Simon being there at the time of the Lord’s trek to Calvary was no mere coincidence. Indeed, the Lord used this occasion to teach us a valuable lesson.
We read in Luke 23:26, “And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it AFTER JESUS.” The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 10:38, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth AFTER ME, is not worthy of me.” The Lord said later in Matthew 16:24, “If any man will come AFTER ME, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Simon’s story offers valuable lessons for Christians. His brief involvement in Scripture serves as a reminder that every act of service, however small, can have a significant impact. We also learn that to follow Christ comes with a cost. The cross is a symbol of suffering. The privilege of every believer is suffering for the cause of Christ. We read in Philippians 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” It is truly an honor to suffer for Christ’s sake. In the early church, when the disciples were persecuted, they realized it was a great honor. We read in Acts 5:41, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER shame for his name.” We learn from 2 Timothy 3:12 that, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION.”
My dear fellow believer, are you being called upon to suffer for your Christian testimony? Count it all joy! (James 1:2). Have you lost friends or relationships with your loved ones because of your love for Christ? Realize that even as people persecuted the Lord, they will persecute those who love and follow the Lord. (John 15:20). In our sufferings for the Lord, He promises His presence…never to leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5). Simon was compelled to carry the Lord’s cross. May we willingly and gratefully take up our cross and follow the Lord Jesus faithfully. (CC) (743.4)