Mark 15:20-22

Mark 15:20-22 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. And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. Jesus was a carpenter by trade. He was used to hard work. He walked everywhere that He went and was in good shape. But after the scourging from the Roman soldiers and the beating and the crown of thorns, His strength was almost gone. Jesus had to carry that huge cross through the streets of Jerusalem and up the hill to Calvary. It was like dragging a telephone pole! So when Jesus stumbled and fell, the Roman soldiers grabbed a man from the crowd, Simon of Cyrene, to carry the cross for Jesus. It was unusual that Mark would know Simon’s name and even more unusual that Mark would know the names of his two sons, Alexander and Rufus. I think that is because all three men became followers of Jesus after that. Mark must have seen them at church and heard their story. And what a story that must have been! Just think of helping Jesus! Just think of seeing your Dad pick up the cross and help Jesus! What an honor and what a good deed! And we are still reading their names two thousand years later!