SIMON
(The Man Who Carried Jesus’ Cross)

From my earliest childhood, I have been fascinated by this man who carried Jesus’ cross.  I remember wishing that I could have been there to carry my Savior’s cross too!  Over the years as I have read God’s Word, I would come across this Biblical account over and over again without understanding its spiritual significances.  Then, as our Lord always does, in His perfect time, He gave me a revelation by His Spirit concerning the impact of His message for us today,

GOSPEL ACCOUNTS CONCERNING THE MAN WHO CARRIED JESUS’ CROSS

From Scripture we learn that this man’s name was known by the writers of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  His name was Simon and he had two sons who lived in North Africa, in the city Cyrene, Libya. 

Matthew knew Simon’s name and that he was from Cyrene:

Matthew 27:31-32 “And after that they had mocked Him, they took the robe off from Him, and put His own raiment on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.  And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear His cross.”

Mark knew Simon and his sons’ names, and that they were from Cyrene:

Mark 15:20-21 “And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.  And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross.”

Luke knew Simon’s name and that he was from Cyrene:

Luke 23:25-26 “And Pilate released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.  And as thy led Him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.”

Understanding these Biblical facts about the man who carried Jesus’ cross, shows the importance of being led by the Spirit to search the Scripture to learn more about seemingly insignificant and relatively unknown facts and names of those who have had such a great impact in His Kingdom!

ACTS ACCOUNTS

Acts 2:5-8 “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.  And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?  And how hear we every man in our own language, where we were born?”

Acts 2:9-12 “Parthians, and Medes, Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our languages the wonderful works of God!  And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?”

 Acts 11:19-21 “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but unto Jews only.  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians (Gentiles), preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”

Matthew 24:14 “Jesus: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations: and then shall the End come.”

Mark 13:10 “Jesus: And the gospel must first be published among all nations.”

Luke 24:47-49 “Jesus: Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

John 17:11-23 “Jesus: As Thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them in the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the Truth.  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in Me and I in Thee that they also may be One in Us: that the world may know Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.”

John 20:21-22 “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  And when he had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them Receive ye the Holy Spirit:”

Acts 2:1 “And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

Acts 2:4 “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the place where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Acts 2:14, 16-18 “Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the Last Days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:”

Acts 2:19-21 “And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable Day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Acts 2:36-40 Peter: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.  Now when they heard this they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.  And many of other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”

Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word, were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Acts 8:1, 3-4 “And Saul (Paul) was consenting unto Stephen’s death.  And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and hailing men and women committed them to prison.  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word.”

Revelation 5:6-14 “John: And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.  And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.  And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation: and hast made us unto our God, kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.  And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.  And the four beasts said, Amen.  And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth forever and ever.”

Revelation 7:9-17 “John: I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His Temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat.  For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living foundations of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

Revelation 12:11 “John: And they (Saints) overcame him (Satan) by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of His Testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

We are humbly grateful for God’s Eternal, Holy and Inspired Word that is so perfectly balanced and that the Scripture is the primary and final source of all interpretation!