The Face of Failure: Simon Peter

 

We are continuing the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, which is a series of biographical sermons where we look at the faces of the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross. Today we look into the face of failure…the face of Simon Peter.

(Mark 14:72 NLT) And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

Most of us who have been disciples for a while can identify with Peter. We know the pain of failure so we can learn from Peter’s experience.

We experience;

1. The shame of our failure

2. The sorrow over our failure and 

3. We learn the comfort of God after our failure   

               

Scripture Reading: 

‭Mark 14:53-72 NIV‬ [53] They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. [54] Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. [55] The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. [56] Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. [57] Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: [58] “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’ ” [59] Yet even then their testimony did not agree. [60] Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” [61] But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” [62]  “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [63] The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. [64] “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. [65] Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.  [66] While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. [67] When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. [68] But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. [69] When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” [70] Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” [71] He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” [72] Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Introduction

We are continuing the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, which is a series of biographical sermons where we look at the faces of the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross.

Our first face was of Barabas, the face of favor or grace.  Barabbas deserved to die.  He was a notorious criminal,  If Jesus was going to die in place of someone else, certainly he wouldn’t die in place of someone like Barabbas! But in the providence of God, Jesus did take the place of Barabbas so this great truth of the gospel might be revealed.

‭Romans 5:8 NIV‬ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Last week we looked into the face favor, the face of Simon of Cyrene

‭Mark 15:21 NIV‬ 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. 

Simon may have felt that being forced to carry Jesus’ cross was the worst thing that could happen to him, but it soon became his greatest blessing. It changed his life and the life of his family.

Today we look into the face of failure…the face of Simon Peter.

Text

(Mark 14:72 NLT) And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

Any of us could have done what Peter did.This careful record of Peter’s failure is a good reminder of the fact that  failure as a disciple doesn’t require exceptional weakness or extreme character flaws. Peter, a chief apostle, was present at the cross as a failure.

               

Let’s review the facts we know about Peter so that we can put his failure in proper perspective. He joined the followers of Jesus very early after his brother,  Andrew, brought him to Jesus. He gave up a fishing business to become a “fisher of people.” 

‭Mark 1:16-18 NLT‬[16] One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. [17] Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” [18] And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Jesus chose him to be one of the twelve apostles

‭Matthew 10:1-4 NLT‬ [1] Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. [2] Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), [3] Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, [4] Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Jesus later included Peter in the  “inner circle.” He was present at the transfiguration of our Lord.

‭Mark 9:2-4 NLT‬ [2] Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, [3] and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. [4] Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Peter would have been an “eyewitness” of most of his miracles. He would have received personal instruction from the Lord on a daily basis for over three years before his failure.

               

Peter had not always been a failure. He was the one who gave the bold confession that so delighted Jesus’ heart. 

‭Matthew 16:13-19 NLT‬ [13] When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” [14] “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” [15] Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” [17] Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. [18] Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. [19] And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

Peter was the most aggressive disciple when Jesus was arrested 

‭John 18:10-11 NLT‬ [10] Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. [11] But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?” 

Peter had never been without words before. But now under the pressure of the circumstance, facing the scrutiny of the group in the courtyard of the high priest, he vehemently denied three times that he knew the Lord. 

Though he had loved the Lord, he denied him.                         

               

Most of us who have been disciples for a while can identify with Peter. We know the pain of failure so we can learn from Peter’s experience.

We experience;

1. The shame of our failure

2. The sorrow over our failure and 

3. we learn the comfort of God after our failure             

                                 

               

I. The shame of our failure.

               

Failure is always shameful but is especially so when detected in the life of someone so privileged like Peter.

               

A. Peter had no intention of failing. 

His intentions were to be faithful to the Lord regardless of what might happen. He sincerely expressed these intentions in the Upper Room as the disciples observed the Passover. 

‭Matthew 26:33-35 NLT‬ [33] Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” [34] Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” [35] “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same. 

But in making his spiritual calculations, Jesus warned him by telling Peter that Satan had made a request to sift him “as wheat,” 

‭Luke 22:31-32 NLT [31]  “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. [32] But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

Peter ignored the warning. He felt sufficient in his own strength for any power that might rise against him.

‭Luke 22:33 NLT‬ [33] Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”

         

Wise men and women are careful to measure the strength of their enemy. Those who succeed in discipleship are always mindful that the enemy is like a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” Peter learned this truth the hard way.  In fact he wrote later in 

‭1 Peter 5:8 NLT‬ [8] Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 

               

B. Failure represents a mistaken concept of self. 

Peter did not know himself as well as he thought. Peter couldn’t  do all that he thought he could do. More of the “old Simon” was still present in him than he wanted to admit.

               

Peter’s words of dedication spoken in the upper room did not come from his faith inGod, but rather from his faith in himself. They were the bold claims of a self-sufficient man. 

On the contrary, our only hope of avoiding failure is by wholly depending on the Lord and his strength.

‭Romans 7:18-25 NLT‬ [18] And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. [19] I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. [20] But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. [21] I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. [22] I love God’s law with all my heart. [23] But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. [24] Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? [25] Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.     

               

C. Failure involves a denial of Christ.

As Peter tried to be inconspicuous in the courtyard, he was discovered. Three times he was asked if he was a follower of Jesus, who was then on trial. Each time Peter’s response was the same. He denied that he had ever known the Lord. Because he suspected that his denial was not convincing the crowd, the third time even included a religious oath and curses.

‭Mark 14:71 NLT‬ [71] Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” 

             

Many of us have done the same shameful thing. It may have been by our words or by our deeds, but we denied Christ. Likely the circumstance under which we did it was not nearly so threatening, but failing our Lord is a shameful deed under any circumstance.             

            

         

II. Then comes the sorrow over our failure.

               

A. A sign of repentance. 

Peter’s sorrow began the moment he heard the rooster crow, reminding him of the warning the Lord had spoken to him. 

Then there was the look that he received from Jesus as he remembered. The look must have emanated sorrow and hurt. It sent Peter out into the night to express his sorrow with tears.

‭Luke 22:61-62 NLT‬ [61] At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” [62] And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

Peter was not merely sorry that he had been caught in his denial, but was sorry for his failure and for how it had hurt Jesus. True disciples weep over their failures. They are never proud or boastful about such shameful matters. There is no real repentance without this type of sorrow when we know we have failed.

               

               

B. But we can recover. 

The Scriptures assure us that God is near to those with a “broken and contrite heart.” 

‭Psalms 51:17 NLT‬ The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.+

I believe that if Peter had approached the whole ordeal with the same broken spirit that he had when he came out of it, he never would have failed. But he soon discovered that his tears were not in vain. Our forgiving and compassionate God takes note of such sorrow.

                  

Once we have gone through the shame of our failure and experienced the sorrow of our failure and truly repented then we will experience;              

            

    

 III. God’s comfort and consolation, after our failure. 

               

Peter’s experience is good news for every one of us. Our failures do not have to be final.

A. There’s the comfort in knowing that we have been forgiven.   

Tears of repentance will bring us to the comfort of forgiveness. Martin Luther wrote, “No article of the creed is so hard to believe as this: I believe in the forgiveness of sins. But look at Peter. If I could paint a portrait of Peter,  I would write on every hair of his head forgiveness of sins.”

               

How do we know that Peter was forgiven? 

After Jesus rose from the dead, he sent a special message to his disciples, and specifically mentioned Peter.  

‭Mark 16:5-7 NLT‬ [5] When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, [6] but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. [7] Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”

Our Lord forgave Peter fully, and he will forgive us when we fail.

               

 B. Then there is the comfort of fellowship. 

Much of the sorrow related to failure comes from our broken fellowship with Jesus. Knowing that we have disappointed him makes us uncomfortable in his presence. But after we receive his forgiveness, we can begin to enjoy his company again. This was true for Peter in the time he spent with Jesus after the resurrection. The fellowship was restored. He was not banished forever as he may have thought he might be.

‭John 21:17 NLT‬ [17] A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

             

Conclusion

Do you think Peter’s failure came as a surprise to Jesus? Hardly. The Lord knew all about Peter. He had his number. And He knew this about Peter the day He called him and gave him his new name, which meant “Rock.” Jesus knew what Peter would become. He didn’t just see him for what he was; He saw him for what he would be.

And that is how God sees us. We see our shortcomings. We see our flaws. But God looks at us and says, “I see what you are going to be. I see a finished piece of art. You just see a blank canvas. I see a refined diamond. You see a lump of coal. I see what you will be.”

‭Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT‬ [8] God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [10] For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

Jesus knew that Peter would fail.  Peter’s failure came as no shock to Jesus. And neither does yours.

How we deal with our failures is important. For Peter a shameful failure became a positive experience as he allowed his heart to be broken and struggled to gain another opportunity to show his loyalty. The record of Peter’s ministry in the book of Acts after he was filled with the Holy Spirit is evidence enough of what a failure can become. How are you handling your failures?

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

Merciful Father, I come before you with a repentant heart, acknowledging my sins and shortcomings. I confess my need for your forgiveness and mercy. Wash me clean, O Lord, and create in me a pure heart. I trust in your unfailing love and rely on your grace to restore and renew me. Thank you for the forgiveness I find in Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray. 

Amen.

 

The Face of Favor- Simon of Cyrene

This is the manuscript of the first sermon in an eight sermon series "Beneath the Cross of Jesus” a series of biographical sermons about the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross.

The first sermon, two weeks ago,  was “Unmerited Favor (Grace) for Barabbas”.   Barabbas deserved to die. Justice had finally caught up with him. ‭He was well known as someone the Romans wanted to catch and jail.  If Jesus was going to die in place of someone else, certainly he wouldn’t die in place of someone like Barabbas! But in the providence of God, Jesus did take the place of Barabbas so the great truth of the gospel might be revealed.

‭Romans 5:8 NIV‬ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The person we are going to look at today, Simon of Cyrene, As we study the faces beneath the cross, we find the face of this favored man he was there beneath the cross of Jesus too.  In fact Simon carried the cross to Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified.  

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.(Mark 15:21 NIV)

The Face of Favor - Simon of Cyrene

We don’t know a lot about Simon, but he’s a hero in the New Testament. He came from Cyrene, a Greek colony on the north-eastern coast of Libya, and he was in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast when he saw a man, a criminal of some kind apparently, struggling to carry a cross from the city of Jerusalem to a place outside the city. It was heavy, and it was hard.

A Roman soldier, bored of watching criminals strain under the weight, plucked Simon out of the crowd and shouted to him; “You – carry that! At first Simon felt as though it was the worst thing that could happen to him, but it soon became his greatest blessing. It changed his life and the life of his family.

Scripture Reading: ‭Mark 15:15-26 NIV‬ [15] Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.  [16] The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. [17] They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. [18] And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” [19] Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. [20] And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.  [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. [22] They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). [23] Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. [24] And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. [25] It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. [26] The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.

Today is Pentecost Sunday;

Pentecost is a long-standing Jewish harvest party, a Christian celebration as old as Jesus’ Church, and a Greek word that means “fiftieth.” And the Pentecost moment described in the New Testament is a 1st-century event in Jerusalem where people’s heads caught fire (sort of). At this event, an indoor windstorm swirled through a packed house party, and everyone was baffled—some panicked. And then the guys with fiery heads became spontaneously multilingual.

‭Acts 2:1-4 NIV‬ [1] When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

When we see the first Pentecost in context, it’s not just about God giving people instantaneous multilingual skills or the fiery sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence. This story also marks the beginning of a new world.  The beginning of the Church, the body of Christ" 

‭Romans 12:4-5 NIV‬ [4] For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 

Pentecost is often referred to as the birthday of the Church because Pentecost is when the apostles went out among the people and began spreading Jesus’ message, thus establishing the beginning of the Church.

‭Acts 2:38-41 NIV‬ [38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” [40] With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” [41] Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 

The Bible also refers to the church as the "People of God" (2 Corinthians 6:16; Hebrews 8:10) and the "Bride of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2;Ephesians 5:32; Revelation 19:7; 21:9).

Introduction

Now to today’s message. Two weeks ago we started the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” which is a series of biographical sermons about the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross. We took a break in the series last week to celebrate Mother's Day. 

Another name for this series could be “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” 

The first sermon, two weeks ago,  was “Unmerited Favor (Grace) for Barabbas”.   Barabbas deserved to die. Justice had finally caught up with him. ‭He was well known as someone the Romans wanted to catch and jail.  If Jesus was going to die in place of someone else, certainly he wouldn’t die in place of someone like Barabbas! But in the providence of God, Jesus did take the place of Barabbas so the great truth of the gospel might be revealed.

‭Romans 5:8 NIV‬ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

The person we are going to look at today, Simon of Cyrene, As we study the faces beneath the cross, we find the face of this favored man he was there beneath the cross of Jesus too.  In fact Simon carried the cross to Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified.  

Today we are going to use our sanctified imaginations, to fill in some of the implied details and see his story as it may have unfolded. So here’s our text for today;

‭Mark 15:21 NIV‬ 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. 

The name Simon is fairly common in the New Testament.  It was a pretty nobel name. The name means, “God has heard”. There was Simon the Zealot, one of Jesus’ disciples. One of the brothers of Jesus, son of both Mary and Joseph, was named Simon. There was Simon the Pharisee, at whose house Jesus ate when, who we believe was Mary Magdalene came with the expensive perfume and anointed Jesus before his death and burial.

‭Luke 7:36-40 NIV‬ [36] When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. [37] A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. [38] As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. [39] When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” [40] Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.

There was Simon, the grumpy judge on American Idol. No wait. I meant to say, Simon, brother of Alvin the chipmunk. No wait, not that either… Just kidding. 

Today we are looking at Simon the Cyrenian. 

So, who was this man Simon? We don’t know a lot about him, but he’s a hero in the New Testament. He came from Cyrene, a Greek colony on the northeastern coast of Libya. The town itself was about 25% Jewish, and its people keep popping up in the book of Acts. 

People from Cyrene are in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

‭Acts 2:5-12 NIV‬[5] Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. [6] When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. [7] Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? [9] Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome [11] (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” [12] Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Men from Cyrene argue with Stephen and falsely accuse him of blasphemy

‭Acts 6:9 NIV‬ Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 

Men from Cyrene help start the church in Antioch.

‭Acts 11:19-20 NIV‬ [19] Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. [20] Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 

‭Acts 13:1 NIV‬ Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 

Now, there were 3 times in the year that Jews were supposed to travel to Jerusalem. There was Passover, in March or April. There was Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of First Fruits, 7 weeks after Passover, later, in May or June. And there was the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths, held in the fall. These were times that Jews from all over were supposed to come to Jerusalem. 

Cyrene was about 900 miles from Jerusalem, so for Simon to travel to Jerusalem for the Passover feast was a big undertaking, it probably took a month or so to get there. Imagine if this had been Simon’s only time ever to go to Jerusalem. Walking for a month, braving the elements, running the risk of desert bandits, in danger of wild animals. Finally he gets there and he’s safe within the walls of the city.

But the city was not what he expected. Even if he had been there before, there was certainly something different that year. Perhaps he hadn’t even had the chance to enter the city, to go to the money changers and exchange his Greek coins for Jewish currency, to go to the vendors at the Temple, to buy a spotless lamb to take to the priests at the Temple, to have them say a prayer and sacrifice the lamb for him and then, hand the carcass back to him.  If all went as planned, later Simon would take the sacrificial lamb somewhere to be roasted and eaten, as part of the Passover ceremony.

‭Exodus 12:8-11 NIV‬ [8] That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. [9] Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs. [10] Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. [11] This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.

How far had he gotten? I don’t know. But he became a witness to a different kind of slaughter. He saw a man, a criminal of some kind apparently, struggling to carry a cross from the city of Jerusalem to a place outside the city. It was heavy, and it was hard.

And then it happened. A Roman soldier,  bored of watching criminals strain under the weight of a cross, grabbed Simon out of the crowd and shouted “You – carry that!”  Roman soldiers had the power to conscript any non-Roman anytime they pleased. So Simon was powerless to refuse.

Matthew 27:32‭-‬33 NIV As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).

Did Simon resist? We don't know. Even if he did, his resistance was useless. 

Can you imagine? Having traveled all that way, just an innocent bystander, and all of a sudden… his life was changed. This act, this carrying of an instrument of death, touching the blood of a known criminal, would have made him unclean. In a ceremonial way, according to the traditions and laws of the Jews, he would not have been able to approach the Temple, to give his lamb to the priest, and would not have been able to eat and celebrate Passover. All that way, all that time, with the intention to do his spiritual duty, he found himself forced to do something he didn’t want to do.  

I don’t know how noble Simon was but I suspect that he was annoyed and frustrated.  I don’t  think he responded by saying; “Oh, please let me carry that poor man’s cross. I’ll do it, and enjoy doing it!” No, I don't think so. But he had no choice; you don’t argue with men who carry spears for their jobs.

Simon did carry the cross for Jesus and it makes me think of things Jesus said in His teachings. 

‭Matthew 10:38-39 NIV‬ [38] Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [39] Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Or

‭Matthew 16:24-27 NIV‬ [24] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. [25] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. [26] What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? [27] For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Unfortunately these verses have become kind of an idiom, an expression, a figure of speech today. We make it sound as if a cross to bear is simply something uncomfortable in life that we just have to deal with. But that’s not what Jesus meant. He meant that if you decide that you want to follow Him, you may have problems that you wouldn’t otherwise have. Getting ridiculed because you take the Bible seriously… that’s a cross. Losing your job because you don’t stand for what goes on there… That's a cross. Saying no to selfishness and greed and lust… that’s a cross.

There’s a saying that goes: "Among the plastic saints of our times, Jesus has to do all the dying, and all we want to hear is another sermon about his dying." 

Hearing about His death is much more comforting than hearing that we have to die, to give up things, to give over things, to say no to one thing, and to say yes to another.

When Jesus said “take up your cross and follow me” He was not talking about things like  a strained relationship, a thankless job, or even a physical illness.  

 

When Jesus said  “taking up his cross” He was talking about  putting desires of the flesh to death and following the path that He was on in doing His Father’s will. .

 However, whenever Jesus talked about cross bearing He also talked about gaining or saving life.

 

Luke 9:23-25 (NKJV)23  Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.24  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.25  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

Everybody’s cross is different.  What God is asking of someone else He may not ask of you. That’s why we have convictions. God may ask someone to give up secular music, but someone else might be allowed to listen to or even sing it.  God may lead someone down one road, and someone else down another. That’s OK. You need to carry your own cross.

You need to let God lead you, wherever He wants. This isn’t about getting saved by what Jesus did, and then earning your salvation by works. This is not about earning. This is about God sanctifying you, throughout your whole life, so that you continually throw off the sin that so easily entangles, getting rid of the things in your life that are not pleasing to God.

‭Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV‬ [1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

This means that God may lead you in a different path from others. 

‭John 21:17-23 NIV‬ [17] The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. [18] Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” [19] Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” [20] Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) [21] When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” [22] Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” [23] Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

Tradition says that Peter was crucified in Rome for his faith, but John  lived to be an old man in exile. 

One’s path was vastly different from another’s. That’s OK. They each followed their cross to wherever the road led. 

People may not understand or appreciate what you are doing, but if you feel that a certain direction is where God is leading you, you need to do it, no matter what others say. There is a song titled “Fool’s Gold”. There are lyrics in it that say “Some may call me foolish, some may call me odd; But I’d rather be a fool in the eyes of men than a fool in the eyes of God.”

Back to Simon.  He may have felt that being forced to carry Jesus’ cross was the worst thing that could happen to him, but it soon became his greatest blessing. It changed his life and the life of his family.

Simon of Cyrene led his two sons to be cross-bearing Christians. He shared the privilege with them. We are not given the details, but we are given the names of Alexander and Rufus in our text. Remember it?

‭Mark 15:21 NIV‬ 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. 

The inclusion of their names by Mark, indicates that they had become well known among the early Christians.            

            

And it all began with Simon bearing the cross.  If we bear the cross of Christ, we will influence others. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to influence our own family, our friends and neighbors to bear the cross of Christ too?

Conclusion

We sing, “Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free? No, there is a cross for everyone, and there is a cross for me.”  However, the original version of the hymn was, “Must Simon bear the cross alone, and the saints go free? Each saint of thine shall find his own, and there is one for me.” Each one of us is called to bear the cross of Jesus.  Will you join Simon of Cyrene beneath the cross?

Let us pray.  Lord Jesus, help us to see in the suffering and shortcomings of our lives a share in Your Cross; strengthen and console us in the belief that we bear all things in union with You, who have taken upon Yourself even our guilt.  Empower us to carry the burdens of others and lighten their journey in heavy and painful times.   Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.

Amen.