August 31 A New Disciple

Luke 23:26 As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
 
AMID the crowd watching this painful procession was Simon from Cyrene, a portion of today’s Libya where there was a Jewish community. Likely he was a Jew come to the Passover. Then his life changed. Abruptly a Roman soldier pointed to Simon, “Carry that cross for this criminal.” He had no freedom to say, “No.” Disobedience meant imprisonment or death.
    Into Simon’s hands, onto his back Simon carried the cross to ease Jesus’ suffering and demonstrate discipleship: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) and “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:14-15) Simon literally took up Jesus’ cross to serve as a slave to his Lord’s cause. The soldier forced Simon to do what God gives us a choice to do.
    Or does he? Can a real disciple really choose whether to pick up the cross and to serve? As Simon experienced, our Lord’s way is to often suddenly thrust disciples into cross-carrying, servant circumstances. You’ve been there haven’t you? You may have had to pick up a friend’s cross to listen to his broken heart. Perhaps you suddenly heard the call to serve love and affirmation to lonely children in a local school. You will find it necessary to pick up the burden of the gospel to serve family and friends who consistently mock your Lord. Your church may need you for a meal ministry or a Bible study leader. Your cross may be to sacrificially give to a neighbor for food and shelter. Yes, discipleship takes on many cross-carrying, servant forms. Remember Jesus didn’t say, “If anyone would be my disciple, he can decide what he wants to do.”
    The Holy Spirit brought Simon from a long distance to serve the Son. If you are Jesus’ true disciple, the Holy Spirit has brought you a long way, too. He has picked up your soul to carry you from sin’s death into a faithful, eternal life in Jesus. Go and do as the Lord has done for you.  
    One more thing: Apparently, Simon’s discipleship journey continued from that day. Read Mark’s account of this event: Mark 15:21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. How would Mark know Simon’s sons? Most likely Alexander and Rufus were early missionaries in Jesus’ church. These two sons spiritually followed their father’s cross-carrying discipleship pathway. Simon’s ministry to the Lord that day opened the way for his family’s ministry to the Lord’s church.
    True disciples make a true, lasting difference, even in their own families.
 
Prayer: Make me faithful to you, Jesus, so I may be a true disciple, to even take up my cross and serve for you. Amen.