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Day 324

Acts 4:11 "This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone." Acts 4:11"

Day 324 – Mark 15

“This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.” Acts 4:11

THE ROAD TO GOLGOTHA

A condemned prisoner was supposed to carry his own cross all the way to the place of crucifixion! This was part of his added humiliation. But how did the Roman soldiers expect Jesus to do that after He had been scourged, and beaten further by the whole Roman garrison? No man, no matter how strong physically, could be expected to make that journey to Golgotha on his reserve of human strength!

“Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian,
the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out
of the country and passing by, to bear His cross.”
MARK 15:21

1. Simon a Cyrenian

He was not a local man. He hailed from Cyrene, a city in North Africa! He had probably come as one who had embraced the faith of the Jews, and had come all the way from Africa to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. This was one Passover that he would never forget! (Perhaps because he appeared very strong, the Romans compelled him to carry the cross of Jesus)!

2. To bear His cross

Who should have borne the cross of Jesus that day?

a) His disciples?
But none were found? All had fled! Their brave words about dying with Jesus came to nothing!
b) An unknown African proselyte
He had not known Jesus personally, or else he would have found deep symbolic meaning in bearing the cross of Jesus that day. As it were, he learned deep spiritual lessons just by bearing the heavy cross of Jesus.
c) Did Simon find faith through his brief acquaintance with Jesus?
It is more than likely that he found personal faith in Jesus that day! What a privilege had been accorded him, for all the writers of the Synoptic Gospels mentioned him by name (Cf. Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).

3. The father of Rufus and Alexander

The names of the two sons of Simon of Cyrene were included for good reason. In Romans 16, the apostle Paul made mention of one Rufus (an uncommon name among the Jews) who may well be identified as one of the sons of Simon.

“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord,
and his mother and mine”
ROMANS 16:13

Through his carrying of the cross of Jesus, he obtained salvation and great blessing for his family. This family was particularly loved by the apostle Paul.