THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:21-26
“Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus…” (Mark 15:21)
Have you ever heard of Alexander and Rufus?
How is it that Mark knows their names, when the other gospel writers do not?
Why is it that Mark assumes his readers will know them?
One guess is to think about the impact of what happened to their father.
Simon was forced to carry Jesus’ cross, did this lead him to believe in Jesus?
To carry a condemned man’s cross was not an honour, but a humiliation.
Such an experience could shake him up, and lead to deep soul turmoil.
At the same time to be in the presence of such a gentle, gracious condemned man.
To see His suffering, yet to hear His gracious forgiveness for His murderers?
It seems likely that this experience led him to share what happened with his sons.
And together they became known in the christian community (in Rome, where Mark wrote?).
An encounter with the gracious Saviour leads to this family’s conversion.
This is not the only time this happens (for example, Acts 16:25-34).
Today I am wondering, has my family experienced the gracious Jesus through me?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, how has experiencing You in Your crucified glory impacted me? How has it impacted my family through me? May those I love come to know and experience You for themselves, like Alexander and Rufus.
Take up your cross and follow Jesus.
Simon certainly did. All of Jesus’ followers must do the same.
Simon was forced to carry the cross but I think it would have been life changing for him. His sons mentioned seemed to be known to the ‘church’ there.
I need to take up my cross and willingly follow Him living the Jesus way – in love and by His grace I am able to walk in His ‘SonShine.’
1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
the world behind me, the cross before me;
the world behind me, the cross behind me,
No turning back, no turning back.
3. Though none go with me, I still will follow;
though none go with me, I still will follow;
though none go with me, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
4. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.