“They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross” (Mark 15:21).
Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus. He was someone who was known by Mark. The Lord uses every circumstance to provide an opportunity to know Him. The invitation comes to us in our everyday living. We are offered the opportunity to willingly come into the Lord’s service. The world will conscript us, but the Lord invites us. Even when oppressed by the world, there is still opportunity to know Jesus.
Heavenly Father, help me to understand by Your Holy Spirit that You are always speaking to me. Help me to know that the world is constantly forcing me in one direction or another, but that You are offering me the ability to see through the struggle that is going on around me. The world seeks to kill Jesus at all times. Yes, He died for our sake, but we know that He is resurrected and that because Jesus lives, we too live. Help me to live in the clarity Your word gives me.
Lord Jesus, the indignities this world have been heaped upon You. How exasperating sinning must be to You, yet You still loved us enough to go to the cross. Lead me out of the mire of this world’s thinking to understand more clearly that, no matter what the circumstance are, I know that You are with me. Guide me in the goodness of Your grace and mercy so that I may walk in whichever way You lead. No matter what the world does, help me to learn the lessons You will teach me. Amen.
