March 26, 2025
I was heading toward my office; out of the corner of my eye, I saw something unusual. Adorned with a cloak and crown of thorns, a man was carrying a cross down our former town’s main thoroughfare. I gawked with curiosity. Where was he from? Was he carrying a burden; seeking penance; or on a mission?
A young reporter caught up with him and grabbed a story for the weekly press. The man was from Washington, travelling through Idaho on his way to Montana—on a mission to share the Gospel. He carried nothing on his person along his grueling journey; only his cross.
In retrospect, I don’t know if I would’ve had this man’s dedication. Still, it’s with his dedication that we’re challenged to carry our cross. Like Simon of Cyrene, he carried his cross so others could know Jesus, the one who carried our burdens onto the Cross.
In the synoptic gospels, we read of Simon: a Jew from the Diaspora who travelled to Jerusalem for Passover. Mark wrote,
Little else is known of Simon. Yet, many believe he’s mentioned in the Book of Acts. In Acts 2:10 we read of the “God-fearing Jews from every nation” who heard the Apostles speaking in their native tongues on the Day of Pentecost. One of these may have been Simon. Luke also cited missionaries sent to Antioch from Cyrene to share the Good News (Acts 11:20). Two chapters later, we hear one of their names: “Simeon called Niger” (Acts 13:1).
In today’s imagery, Simon was inconveniently snagged at gunpoint in the midst of a mob of sneering onlookers, cheering for a convict’s death. With weapons pointed in his face, he involuntarily dragged this man’s gallows up a steep hill to his place of execution.
Simon could have never predicted this was to be his fate: to co-labor with a man sentenced to death. He had to have speculated along the way “Why am I being forced to carry another’s instrument of execution.”
I’ve pondered what Simon may have mused. “What is it about this man that he was beaten to a pulp and now being led to his death?” “Why were some sneering and cheering, while others screaming in lament?” “Who was this man that I am being forced to carry his cross?”
Despite any musings, something wonderful happened to Simon that day, and over the next fifty. His entire worldview changed to one where he continued to carry his cross for the remainder of his days. He wasn’t given a choice on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion; yet within months, Simon embraced carrying his cross: sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
It’s because of Simon’s acts that we know the phrase “Carry your cross.” But what’s that convey for you and me? Is it co-suffering with Jesus, carrying our burdens for all to see? Is it a kind of penance—meaning to make amends and forfeiting our self-interest? Or, is it a means for mission? In many ways, I think it’s all these.
Carrying our cross can be arduous and sometimes an uphill task. But in doing so, we see Jesus for who he is: the Son of God sent to carry our burdens onto the Cross. Knowing what Jesus did for us, carrying his cross is really not an inconvenience or burden; instead, we come to see that it’s a privilege.
The man from Washington knew that; he embraced his cross and carried the message of Jesus to thousands along the way. God calls on all of us who profess Christ to the same.
Be on the lookout; God may snatch you from the crowds to co-labor with Christ. It might not be a convenient time, and you may be surrounded by people both sneering and cheering. Your journey may also be uphill and arduous; but I hope it’s one you’ll embrace. Here’s why.
Like Simon, you’ll see your savior in whole new light. You’ll be radically transformed into one delighted to continue carrying his cross for the remainder of yours—sharing the Gospel. Be like Simon; carry His cross so others can hear the good news of Jesus, the one who came to carry our burdens onto the Cross of Calvary.
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