Not much is known about Simon of Cyrene other than he’s believed to be a Jewish African man or a Jew who went to live in Africa who had two sons he brought to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. He was mention in three of the four gospel, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. He was compelled to help Jesus carry his cross to Golgotha by the Roman soldiers.

What really could be the hidden reason behind Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry his cross? This random stranger, just chosen for no apparent reason? Some say it was to shows the humility of Jesus, or to shame him. Could it be that Jesus was in a very bad way from all the brutal interrogations and whippings; maybe the soldiers wanted him to die on the cross to make a spectacle of him to other as a warning. It was not for Jesus to die on the path. Jesus himself knew his destiny and Simon who travelled so far to his purpose must of been a faithful man to have had such an encounter with Jesus. He may have heard about Jesus and was just curious to see him, but not like that. I could imagine the gossip that was spreading about Jesus it must of piqued the curiosity of many who had heard about him. I believed Simon being in Jerusalem was curious to see the man Jesus whom so much was being spoken about. But not for a moment did he ever think being a spectator like everyone else as to what was taking place with Jesus on his way to Calvary he would be caught up in it all, especially by carry Jesus cross, leaving his two children.

But I believe this that took place at that moment and time was very good thing for both Simon and Jesus as part of God’s plan. Remember three disciples fell asleep when Jesus had asked them to keep watch with him one hour, then Jesus stated seeing them all asleep, “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Simon flesh at that moment may have been weak, but he did this time unlike the disciples kept watch with Jesus, if you know what I mean. Simon also like the woman with the Alabaster box may have been sent by God as a reminder of the unconditional love Jesus has for man is now being returned unto him at the time he needed it the most. Jesus love for us led him to the cross and even in his anguish as a man, God the Father showed his compassion for the son, God the man, by allowing his enemy to get him help in time of need. Simon must of been terrified at all what Jesus was going through and maybe the soldiers might even do him the same thing. But just one look into the eyes of Jesus and he was no longer afraid. The Romans soldiers may have compelled Simon, but his heart and mind was moved only by God himself. Simon may have seen more than a beat up bruised man, but God’s glory and truth upon Jesus. Sin no longer held it’s power, when Jesus had carried the cross as far as he could and then let it go. That burden, the weight of sin, when Jesus feel it fell with him and off him back to where it belong. There’s a saying I learnt as a child and it goes like this, “ must Christ bear the cross alone and the whole world goes free?” I believe Simon didn’t just carried Jesus cross, but as a man he learnt right there and then the burdens of sin in the world rest upon us all. This thing called sin, it takes unity, we are our brothers/sisters keeper in standing and overcoming it. Jesus passed the baton to Simon that day, for he Simon had received a miracle when carrying The cross. The disciples had to wait on the day of Pentecost for what Simon received that day carrying the cross.

How many times have we look upon someone anguish and thought to ourselves, thank the Lord it is not happening to us, or we feel relief when it’s some else’s suffering and not our own. Like Simon, he may have felt, “it’s not my business or responsibility,” because of fear. But sometimes God has a plan for it to be our business and responsibility, because he wants for us to get out of our prison of fear, doubt and hopelessness and trust him and realize with unity we can do all things through Him which strengthens us.

The speculation of Simon being dark skin and from another country like Africa is for us all to understand God is no respecter of persons, we are all God’s children, whether Gentile or Jew as long as we believe. Jesus says, “it’s your faith!” Many times when he’d preformed miracles he told the people it was their faith that made them heal. “Faith as small as a mustard seed, and we can move mountains,” Matthew 17:20.

As I thought about being a spectator and many of us in the west are spectators to what’s going on in Ukraine with this war. I believe soon God is going move the west in like Simon of Cyrene. Soon without any choice the west is going to have to move from a spectator to a participant like Simon. This war with Ukraine is going to end soon in, Jesus name.