Simon of Cyrene who was mentioned in gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke; was happened to be coming from his fields doing all the toil. The time happened to be Jesus taking up the Cross to Calvary. Jesus has also done his toil in this world (Matt.9:35-38)*. He got his field ready (Kingdom). The people around Jesus were of mixed feelings with grudge, anger, compassion etc., on the way to Calvary. It was then this person Simon of Cyrene comes in and was forced to take up Jesus' cross on the way to Calvary. There are many interpretations on this situation. The best I can tell you is, Why only Simon of Cyrene was dragged to take up the cross when hundred's are watching and walking along? Because, Simon of Cyrene is coming from his field, which is an implication of Jesus has done all the hard work in establishing the Kingdom of God here on earth. At the same time Jesus also wants the implication as like Simon of Cyrene who has nothing to do with the situation in other words, he was innocent to take up this burden (Cross), so is Jesus too who is also an innocent to take up this burden. But Jesus willfully taking up the Cross which fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah.53:6, "... Lord hath laid on him the iniquuty of us all". Even though Jesus was innocent, He willfully wanted to be as in 1Corinthians.5:21, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him". Jesus died on the Cross for our sake and on our behalf, for the "result of sin is death", so that we might live and live in righteousness without blame and guilt. My friend, this is an invitation specially to you to come and enjoy the goodness of the Living God.
*And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their Synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest". Matthew.9:35-38.
Simon of Cyrene, he was the one whom I have written about in the last post. We have seen two of his implications in the works of Jesus Christ; 1.Toil and 2.The innocence of guilt. Today by the grace of God we will meditate on more. Simon of Cyrene is from Cyrene a place in Libya, which is in Africa, this place was once part of Egypt at the time of Greeks, then it was been handed over to Romans peacefully. Simon of Cyrene is not a Israel born jew but was a jew probably born in Cyrene, was back to Israel (Judea) around the time of Jesus. There is no concrete evidence that Simon of Cyrene actually owned a field or a worker in the field owned by some one else. He was from Libya, settled in Judea and after the ascension of Jesus, he happened to be the part of the early church at Antioch. This is an implication; even Jesus as Christ was not of this world, He was with his Father and without Him nothing was formed (Psalm.33:6), born of a virgin in Judea, after crucifixion, resurrection and ascension He was with the church living in each and every person as Holy Spirit God as promised. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John.16:7). "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of the truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but what so ever he shall hear, that shall he speak: .... All things that the Father has are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John.16:13,15). We can see about Cyrenians in Acts.2:10, 13:1, who are of certain importance in the early church. One more implication: Cyrene is a place on south side of about 2000 ft above sea level and inclined towards north which has a great plateau and rich in agriculture. This region was of great importance from the times of greeks. People of this region are of great at hard work. By the time of Romans, Rome used to import most of it's slaves from Africa. If Simon of Cyrene has come as a worker in his masters field, so is Jesus too. "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark.10:45). As a slave he done all the hard work in establishing the Kingdom of God. And at last He gave his life on the Cross for us, so that we can live without sin and its effects. The purpose of sharing the Cross with Simon of Cyrene is met with a great understanding and wisdom. Now it's time for you to take up your cross and follow Jesus (Matthew.16:24), if you save your life you will lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for Christ' sake shall find it.
These are the implications of Jesus Christ, why Jesus on his way to Calvary with Simon of Cyrene.
1. Toil
2. The innocence of guilt.
3. Likeness of Trinity.
4. To minister as a servant.
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