PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 15:21-26
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“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, it was 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?
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.
Testing – submitted earlier
Close encounter. Simon was forced into the ‘action’ – no longer a bystander. Mark records that he is the father of Alexander and Rufus – we read about them later – so we know Simon was impacted. He was there – I’m sure Mark’s account was informed by Simon’s encounter as was his own family and other believers after. We benefit from his encounter as well. It is said he was forced to carry the cross. He must of been close by that the Roman soldiers grabbed him. Maybe his sons were with him too? How do I encounter Jesus? By reflection I can imagine the agony, pain and horror of it all – the nails driven into flesh – the agony of bodies trying to breathe while hanging on a cross. I need to force myself into the scene – to grasp how Jesus suffered for me! I too must struggle to not let temptation and sin get the better of me!
Take up the cross and follow Him. That is certainly what Simon did. What an example for his sons. And do others see Christ Jesus ib me in my living for Jesus?
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.