Station eight: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross

Bible reading

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
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Mark 15:21-24 (NIV)​

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Pause

The Bible tells us the name of the man who helped Jesus to carry the cross. It even tells us where he was from and who his children were! Why do you think that is? The only way that this could have been known to Mark, the writer of this gospel, is if Simon had made it known afterwards. He must have been part of the story after the crucifixion. I wonder whether he had heard of Jesus before this encounter in the streets of Jerusalem? In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he mentions a Rufus, could this be the same Rufus? Can you imagine Simon telling his story to his children and it having so much of an impact on all of them that they are named individually in the gospels?

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Ponder

• What stories from their lives have your parents and grandparents shared with you?
  
• Have their stories and experiences affected the way you live your life?
  
• What stories would you like to be able to tell your children about how life is right now?
  

Prayer
Lord Jesus, you were worn down by fatigue:
be with those from whom life drains all energy.
You needed the help of a passing stranger:
give us the humility to receive aid from others.
Amen