Simon of Cyrene AKA the father of Alexander and Rufus
Simon of Cyrene AKA the father of Alexander and Rufus
Mark is the only writer to include the names of his kids. John did not include Simon. Both Matthew and Luke just included Simon. So who is this Simon? He is from Cyrene, Egypt a providence of Libya. He was in Jerusalem for the Passover. For in Cyrene had developed a Jewish community probably from the days of Jeremiah.
”Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the armies took the whole remnant of Judah, those who had returned from all the nations where they had been banished to live in the land of Judah for a while — the men, women, children, king’s daughters, and everyone whom Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, had allowed to remain with Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, along with Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah — and they went to the land of Egypt because they did not obey the voice of the Lord. They went as far as Tahpanhes.“
Jeremiah 43:5-7 HCSB
”Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,“
”But there were some of them, Cypriot and Cyrenian men, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Hellenists, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.“
Acts 11:20-21 HCSB
Simon could have been one of the Cyrenian men who went down to Antioch and proclaimed Jesus to them. What a testimony Simon would have had, “I was forced to carry His cross for the last mile. I stood by the cross as they nailed him to it. I watched as he breathed his last. And I was there when the earth shook.”
As with any and all who have experienced Jesus we too have a testimony of how our lives have changed after our encounter with Jesus. Can we find ways to let our testimony speak for Jesus? Can you verify for yourself that Jesus is no longer on the cross or in the grave but rather alive in your life?
”They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death.“
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