As a man journeyed one day, he was asked to perform a task that many of us may have considered demeaning. Being under the command of others, he had no choice but to carry out the task. He never imagined that this degrading task would change his life forever, and that he would be immortalized for the execution of it. I can imagine this man going home to his family and recounting the events that occurred while he was on his journey. He must have expressed his anger and antipathy towards the persons who forced him to execute this humiliating task. Fast forwarding into this man’s future, however, we see that his wife and son underwent an experience that changed their lives forever as a result of the man’s submission.
The name of this man was Simon the Cyrenian. As he traveled and was forced to carry the cross for Jesus, he may have resented the Romans – or even Jesus. Being under Roman rule, he could not refuse the command. The road must have seemed long and burdensome as he traversed with the weight of that beam on his shoulders. At that moment, he certainly had no idea how this particular day would leave such an indelible impression on his family. Simon may not have even lived to see his wife or son, Rufus, obtain salvation when they came across the Holy Ghost filled disciples one day; the events that took place that fateful day when he carried out that seemingly menial task evidently played a major role in the salvation of his family.
In our lives we sometimes don’t understand why we experience difficulties. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine (Romans 16:13). This passage expresses Paul’s confidence in Rufus and his mother’s relationship with Christ. The difficulty Simon endured cannot compare to the benefit of salvation which his wife and Rufus received. While Simon was experiencing the burden of carrying Christ’s cross, he probably never imagined that the same man whose cross he was bearing would bear the cross for the purpose of opening the way salvation to Simon and his family.
We don’t always know why we go through trials. Many times it is not even for our own sakes. It could be for the sake of others or even our loved ones. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24). Living this Christian life requires sacrifice. We need to bear the cross for Jesus. In exchange, He blesses our loved ones and gives us the opportunity to one day reign with Him.
Mother Vivian Valdez Pruitte