Simon, a man visiting Jerusalem from Cyrene, a city in Libya, happened across the wrong place at the wrong time. Or maybe, the wrong place at the right time.

The Roman soldiers parading Jesus through the streets forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus. Nothing in the text makes Simon look like a volunteer—he was pressed into service. I guess he looked big and strong and available. The soldiers carried swords and so Simon carried the cross.

What happened to Simon after his chore of bearing the cross for Jesus? Evidence points to Simon becoming a dedicated disciple. The gospel spread quickly to Cyrene—did Simon carry the news of the cross home with him?

Tradition holds that both his sons, Alexander and Rufus, became missionaries. Perhaps they watched the crucifixion with their father in Jerusalem? Or maybe the news of the resurrection overtook them on their way home to Cyrene, and they realized like the centurion, surely this man was the Son of God!

No matter the details, Jesus on his way to Golgotha shook their world, and these dedicated men carried his cross the rest of their lives.

Photo: Sidney Poitier as Simon of Cyrene in The Greatest Story Ever Told