This time of year, people are making sure everything is in place to celebrate Easter, Holy Week and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We know the season has arrived when stores put out all the needed merchandise, such as confetti eggs, candy, Easter baskets and colorful spring-like clothing. Even our churches are setting the traditional things in place.
Certainly, the Easter season is festive and a time when Christians celebrate God’s display of love toward humanity by bringing to fruition what he had in place before the foundation of the world—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Simon of Cyrene
Excitement was high in Jerusalem due to the Passover Feast celebration. Sociopolitically, it was heated between the Jews and the Roman government.
Pilate had just judged and sentenced Jesus to be crucified. After sentencing, Jesus was placed in the custody of Pilate’s soldiers, who mocked, humiliated, scourged and beat Jesus.
Many pastors, Bible scholars and readers become realists at this point, saying, “Surely, if Jesus had to go through all of that, he was mentally and physically unable to carry the cross alone.” Everyone sentenced to death must bear their own cross.
The old hymn by Thomas Shepherd comes to mind: “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?”
During times of public shaming, such as crucifixions, crowds lined up along the path the condemned would be walked, like we do for parades. The people gathered that day certainly were a mixed crowd of festive feast-goers, followers of Jesus and those filled with excitement to see an execution.
An innocent bystander
As Jesus was forced down the path toward Calvary, bystanders filled with hatred, mockery, mourning, joy, happiness—even those without a clue about what was happening—filled the streets.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
One innocent bystander didn’t know he was about to play a role in one of history’s greatest events. Simon of Cyrene wasn’t one of the 12—now 11—who followed Jesus faithfully before his arrest. He just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
The only information we have about Simon is his national origin and the names of his sons (Romans 16:13).
Isn’t it amazing how we may be somewhere and unaware we are in place to participate in something great?
Pressed to serve
Those viewing the procession saw the one who healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed thousands now unable to carry a cross. The one who said that with God nothing is impossible now found it impossible to carry the physical cross of crucifixion.
Who of us would have been able to carry the cross after being subjugated to such barbaric torture and humiliation?
All one could hear was the whip cracking and the soldiers yelling. The crowd watched the soldiers push Jesus and the two thieves relentlessly forward toward Golgotha.
Everyone has a breaking point. Assuredly, the incarnate Jesus had exhausted his physical ability to maintain forward movement and could not continue carrying the cross. But there was a bystander in the crowd named Simon.
While no one can give earthly evidence why Simon was there, we understand on a greater level why he was. The Roman soldiers made him carry Jesus’ cross. Those who are innocent often are called upon to do simple things that become great acts in God’s plan.
The inclusion of Simon of Cyrene in the synoptic Gospel narratives seems insignificant. If you read them too fast, he might be a blur as you continue to the final moments on Calvary’s hill.
Like driving through a small town with one traffic light blinking yellow in all directions and slowing down only long enough to make sure no traffic is coming so you can get where you’re going, the movement in the Gospels is similar. The writers of Matthew, Mark and Luke only give his identity and the action he was forced to do.
The greatest detail of Simon’s life is that he carried the cross of Jesus.
Here, I am. Use me.
Bystanders today usually have choices about how to respond to being called or forced into participation. Like Simon, contemporary bystanders are from different cultures, races, places and beliefs, and they watch with varied emotions. Regardless of why they are there, they become potential participants in God’s plan, even if by someone else’s force.
As believers in Jesus, there are three things for us to keep in mind when we are called upon. Be spiritually ready to serve. Maintain faith in God to do what is impossible. Allow the service rendered to reflect Christ.
As you reflect on Easter and the crucified and resurrected Savior of the world, remember Simon of Cyrene, the innocent bystander forced to carry the cross of our Savior. Remember Simon’s submission, strength and service as we continue out of the pandemic, re-enter normalcy and continue to form meaningful relationships with humankind for Christ.
Who knows where you may be? You might be in the right place.
Dr. H. Fritz Williams Jr. is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Lockhart and a faculty member at Stark College and Seminary in Corpus Christi. The views expressed are those of the author.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.