Whose Cross Was Simon Carrying? (Mark 15:21)

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” This quote from John Lennon came back to me as I considered the encounter that Simon, a Cyrenian, had with Jesus when Jesus was on His way to Golgotha. “They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’ cross” (Mark 15:21). How random. What an example of bad luck! If only Simon had lingered over breakfast, or if he could have quickened his pace, he might have escaped this misfortune.

Cyrene is the present-day Libya. It is probable that he had made the journey of almost 800 miles to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem. He was “coming in from the country,” he was “passing by.” There is no indication that he wanted anything to do with this gruesome execution. However, he was forced to lay aside his plans and take up the cross of Christ. He was not in charge of his destiny. Who was in charge? 

If we look at this scene from simply a human perspective, it appears that his plans were hijacked by the tyranny of Rome. But if we use the lens of Scripture we see a different picture. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23). Look at what this verse is telling us. It is not only the path that is directed, it is the steps. His steps led him directly to the cross of Christ. 

Jesus had taught His disciples that if anyone wanted to come with Him that he must deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Jesus. We know from the gospel of Luke that the soldiers seized Simon, put the cross on him, and made him carry the cross behind Jesus. Perhaps, as with all the other disciples, it wasn’t Simon who chose Jesus, but Jesus who chose Simon.

Whose cross was Simon of Cyrene carrying? Was it his cross or was it Jesus’ cross? The answer is, both. Every morning I pray a verse from the book of Philippians. My prayer is that I might know Christ the Messiah intimately. I ask that I might know His resurrection power. Last of all I ask that I might share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death. Jesus Christ laid aside His celestial robe and instead He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. Today, Jesus still invites anyone who would follow Him to deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him. We know Simon’s name because the Sovereign Lord knew Simon’s name. He knows the name of all who follow Him.