"As they were on the way to the execution grounds then came across a man from Cyrene, in Africa-Simon was his name-and forced him to carry Jesus cross." Matthew 27:52 (TLB)
Simon sensed something was wrong, even before he saw the procession. He had not made the journey from the jungles of Africa to Rome by not sensing danger. He felt it just before he saw it, but, by then, it was too late to do anything.
He saw a man, or what he thought was a man, covered in blood from his head to his feet. His back had been ripped open, and the skin looked as if it might fall off. As he was trying to figure out how the man could see with so much blood in his eyes, the man, carrying a huge cross on his back, stumbled to the ground. After kicking the beaten man in the ribs, the centurion in charge grabbed Simon and placed a sword across his neck. "You can carry that cross for awhile." It was not a request and Simon knew enough to stay alive and stay out of a Roman prison.
With little choice, he picked up the massive cross, and half-carry and half-dragged it behind him, for it was too heavy to lift. He followed the Centurion without complaint, until they stopped and made the beaten and battered man pick the cross back up again.
As he moved quickly away from the soldier he wondered if anybody would ever know what that man had done, and weather anyone would ever remember this criminal being crucified with the two others. He doubted anyone would even remember the man, because crucifixions were a regular event in Rome. He had no idea how different this one would be.
See Weep Not At My Wake
Content Disclosure: There is a song I remember from Vacation Bible School that I used for the title of this story. I did not think that one up by myself.
Copyright 2007 Timothy E. Davis