Daily Devotions
April 6th, 2021 by Pastor SolleyMark 15:20-22 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
KJV
Today once again we find Simon bearing the cross of Jesus. Notice this morning he was the father of Alexander and Rufus. We are not told how old the sons of Simon were, they could have been grown men, could have been teenagers, we are not told exactly how old they were. What I want to bring to your attention this morning is that they were witness to what their father was doing. I believe Simon was a follower of Jesus and that one of the reasons he was picked out by the solders, to mock and test his faith. If he was a believer his sons would have known that and now we come to a moment of truth. Was what their father believed true? Was his salvation real to him, would it stand a test of faith? What their father did at that moment would have a great impact on his sons. Stand with Jesus and they would know his faith was real. Cower and back away and what kind of faith would that show to his sons? What kind of faith do we show to those who are watching us? Ever wonder why the younger people have little to do with church and the Lord? What kind of faith are we showing to them, what example do they see? I am asked as a pastor from time to time why the church is losing the young people. My answer is that the church never really had their parents. When you put a weak faith on display don’t be surprised when those watching you have an even weaker faith. It was important that Simon bear that cross, but not for himself, for those who were watching him.