Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/83

Contributor - Rev. Wallace R. Stoepker

Title - The Conscript

Topic - Crucifixion

"They came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross." Matthew 27:32

Simon of Cyrene is remembered in the Bible for just one deed, he carried the cross of Christ. An unknown person strangely comes to prominence for one brief hour. In all of sacred history he is not mentioned before or since. But, only he shared the burden of Christ on the way to Calvary.

On the way to the cross we meet a variety of persons; a traitor, a cowardly governor, an unfaithful disciple, and now, a conscripted cross-bearer. Yet this service of Simon must have influenced his sons, for they are mentioned by name, as they probably were outstanding believers.

When Pilate saw that nothing would satisfy the blood-thirsty mob but the release of their victim, the one they accused of blasphemy and disloyalty, he yielded to their will. Then the soldiers of the governor joined in the disdain by mocking Christ with a robe and thorn crown. They spoke vile words and spit upon Him. Someday they shall stand in fear and shame before that Man in judgment and plead for mercy.

One special indignity associated with the punishment of crucifixion was for the condemned man to carry his own cross. This disgrace made a public display of the offender and would serve as a vivid warning to all offenders that the same fate awaited them for serious crime. It is hard for us to realize such a public spectacle of capital punishment.

As I reread the story, I note the words "his cross" referring to the cross at first laid upon Christ. The text is correct but every Christian is aware that it was really our cross He bore, for He was innocent and we are guilty. And, the cross He bore was actually more than crossbeams of wood, it was the burden of our sin He endured.

Jesus was weak from the scourging of Pilate, a sleepless night and loss of blood from the thorn crown. His human body could not stand the strain. The soldiers no doubt became impatient with His hesitant pace, yet the Bible nowhere states that Christ complained because of the load. Christ may have fallen, we don't know. My conjecture is that the soldiers and the Jews feared that Jesus might die of exhaustion before He reached Golgotha. They didn't want to miss the satisfaction of seeing Jesus hang in agony on the cross.

No Jew would lift a hand to help the condemned. To touch the cross would lead to ceremonial uncleanness. All the apostles "forsook him and fled". None were there to assist the Master. I assume that other disciples of Jesus in the crowd were timid like Peter and were afraid to be arrested or persecuted. A pagan newspaper editor whom I knew made this comment in is paper: "No one offered to carry His cross" - no leper cleansed, no lame name healed, no one!

Once this Jesus referred to a resented Roman law, "If any man (soldier) compels you to go a mile," meaning to carry a burden for a mile. Any Jew could be interrupted to perform such service. Now the Roman soldiers invoke this law to conscript Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross.

Was Simon in Jerusalem for the Passover? Cyrene was in northern Africa. Was he now a resident of Jerusalem or a visitor? None know. Some think he was an African negro. He, like others, was attracted by the commotion around Jesus. There he was picked to carry Jesus' cross. Was a complaint sounded? Was he embarrassed? But, what once was considered shame, was later acclaimed an honour, I'm sure. It may have influenced his conversion.

Would I have shared His cross that day? Would you? But, we can share His cross today, His burden for the lost. Christ conscripts us now to be messengers of His atoning death. And, whenever we are called, may we "take up our cross daily and follow him".

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