Our Scripture reading today is Luke 23:26-28.
Verse 26, "And as they 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."
It appears that a passerby was chosen to carry the cross of Jesus. Simon would have been from our modern day Libya and more than likely would not have known who Jesus was. Simon, being there for Passover, was just in the right place at the right time. It seems as we compare other passages of Scripture that his family were leaders in the early church. Mark 15:21, "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." Romans 16:13, "Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine."
Today, we are called to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. We know Who we are following! We know He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords. We know He is the Son of the living God! We know He has promised to come again and rapture His church. It is an awesome privilege and responsibility to carry a cross for the honour and glory of Jesus Christ!