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.