Taking up the cross—a precious opportunity

One minute, a Cyrenian named Simon was coming into the city from the countryside. The next, he was being drawn into what many would say is the most important event in humanity’s history—Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. 

After being beaten and condemned, Jesus was led out of the city. The Bible says: “As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene . . . . They placed the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus” (Luke 23:26, New English Translation).

It is believed that Jesus’ enemies thought he was weak from the beating and wanted him to survive so the full crucifixion could be carried out. So Roman soldiers ordered Simon to help carry Jesus’ cross. While Simon may have felt he was obeying the command of the soldiers, was he not actually responding to Christ, in line with the divine plan that would ultimately result in the resurrection?