"Carry one another's burden" wrote the Apostle Paul to the Galatians [6:2]. "Love one another," the Lord commands [see John 15: 12-17] and also, "Wash each other's feet" [John 13:14].
The crucifixion of criminals was one the punishments imposed by the Romans and some other civilizations. It was the worst punishment for the worst of crimes like rebellion. Carrying a cross is more than humiliation. Hence it was understandable that Simon according to some presentation of him would not be so enthusiastic about helping Jesus. One movie I saw had a Simon crying out loud, "This is not my cross! This is not my cross!"
However there are also some portrayal of him as an understanding person ready to help. Some even consider him a saint. Most probably he was converted to the faith for the Gospel of St Mark identifies him not only through his name but also being the father of Alexander and Rufus who might have been important persons in the early Church [see Mark 15:21]. In the movie, The Passion of the Christ, Simon was portrayed as someone who have been forced to carry the cross and yet became sympathetic to the plight of Jesus along the way. In this movie, he carried the cross alongside with Jesus unlike in other movies where he carried the cross alone while Jesus either following or ahead.
Whatever really happened, as it is written, Simon of Cyrene helped the Lord Jesus Christ carry His cross. But since the cross that the Lord carried was the cross which the whole humanity should have carried, Simon in a way carried his cross too. But Simon carried only the wooden cross and not the cross which represented the sins of the whole humanity. He must have carried with a lot of ease than when the Lord carried it. Perhaps also he was not as weak, bloodied and sleepless as the Lord. He was well-equipped to help the Lord then.
Whatever really happened, as it is written, Simon of Cyrene helped the Lord Jesus Christ carry His cross. But since the cross that the Lord carried was the cross which the whole humanity should have carried, Simon in a way carried his cross too. But Simon carried only the wooden cross and not the cross which represented the sins of the whole humanity. He must have carried with a lot of ease than when the Lord carried it. Perhaps also he was not as weak, bloodied and sleepless as the Lord. He was well-equipped to help the Lord then.
It is a real challenge for us to help others especially when the circumstances and nature of the needed help would put also in an uncompromising situation: when honor, dignity and reputation will be at stake. But the Lord did not ask what His crucifixion would mean for Him. He just obeyed the Father's will. He accepted such humiliation because He knew what's really at stake: His brothers, His Father's children, us! Unless He accepts the mission, we'd be damned forever for no one else could do it - no one else is worthy enough to do it. Even if a million Simons offer their help, even if willingly done, it won't produce the same result, the grace needed by humanity to be freed from bondage to sin.
Simon helped the Lord carry the cross. We can also help the Lord by avoiding sin and committing ourselves to the mission of leading others to Him so that not one of His Father's children would have to suffer eternal damnation.
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