In today's time of CSI, Law and Order, and Cold Case prime time has never been so popular. I have always questioned a Biblical passage. Not of its authenticity, but as to why a certain man was chosen for such a powerful task. That man is Simon of Cyrene. With crime solving tools such as the "line-up" I believe there was a reason for choosing Simon. That reason being that he and Jesus looked alike. That they had similar features, such as size, color, hair texture, etc.
For this reason and my inquisitive nature, I perceive that the rendition Simon would have articulated to his family and friends when he returned home would have gone something like this:
"My name is Simon. I'm from the countryside of Cyrene visiting here in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast with my sons, Rufus and Alexander. Now where can they be? I specifically left word that they could come early but they had to be near the city gate today, for this is the day that I am coming. What is all that commotion going on over there? Is this what the Feast of the Passover is all about? No!! There is a Jew tied to a cross, coming my way with soldiers whipping him and the crowds of people spitting, throwing stones, jeering, and slapping him. My God!! He is carrying a cross!! I have heard that the Phoenicians were the first to devise this form of execution, but I have never seen it done before. They're coming this way!! Wait!! Wait!!
What do you want? I, I, have come here looking for my sons!! What? What? Rufus, Alexander, tell them I am your father here only for the Passover.
No!! No!! I am not here to carry a cross!! Look at that crowd!! Suppose they throw stones at me? I haven't done anything!! Suppose the soldiers start whipping me? Rufus, Alexander!! Where are my sons? Noooo!! This cross is too heavy!! Why me? What? Because we look alike? Is that any reason for me to accept his punishment? Why me?
This cross is too heavy for me. Why me? How much farther? What do I do when I get there? Please let me go!! I do not know this man!! Please let me go!! I am only here to get my sons and take them back to Cyrene. What? Go to Golgotha? Where is Golgotha? How much further? This cross is too hard to bear!! Look!! Up ahead of me are two more crosses. But these are already in the ground. Look!! They have men on them, hanging from the cross. My God!! Look at all of the blood!! My God, they have nails on their hands, and look, in their feet, too!! Nooo!! I don't want to go any farther. I do not know this man!! I have done nothing wrong!! Why me? Why me? Why did you choose me to carry this cross? He is not my brother!! So we look alike. That is no reason to punish me for whatever he did!! Why me?
They are taking the cross from me now and making that weak, poor, dying Jew carry it the rest of the way up the hill. He keeps falling. He keeps going from weak to strong, strong to weak. He keeps on going!! Wait!! Wait!! I WILL help him!! He can't go on alone!!
He looks back at me and says, 'Not my will, but thy will!!' What does he mean by that? The crowds push me aside to get a better look.
Rufus, Alexander!! Where are my sons?" | back to top |
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Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."