Simon of Cyrene
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.
Horsham: 5th January 2026
In first century Palestine, every Jewish man who lived within 15 miles of Jerusalem was required to ‘appear before the Lord’ at the Temple for the three ‘pilgrimage festivals‘. the feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), feast of Weeks (Shauvot) and the Passover (Pesach). For 
those who lived further away, it was required that every male should spend at least one Passover in Jerusalem. It seems that a man called Simon, made such a pilgrimage journey, travelling from his home in Cyrene in North Africa, arriving in Jerusalem in perfect time for the Passover celebration.
Mark’s readers didn’t know this Simon – but it turns out that they knew his sons – Rufus and Alexander. When Mark wrote his Gospel, they were almost certainly recognisable members of the Church. We know nothing about Alexander, but the Apostle Paul sent greetings to Rufus when he was working for the Christian community in Rome (Romans 16:13)
The story
Simon has just arrived in Jerusalem. He is excited. He has just come in from the country. He has completed his difficult and dangerous journey from his home town in modern day northern Libya. He finds himself in the bustling, noisy overcrowded streets of Jerusalem. It is a noisy place. There is a commotion close by. Suddenly, he is confronted by a dreadful procession. A man, beaten, broken and bleeding, is being escorted by Roman soldiers and followed by a noisy crowd. He has no idea who this man is, but he is not stupid – he knows what is going on. Such things happen in his home city and across the Roman empire. This man is on his way to be crucified. Around the neck of the condemned man there is a sign which reads ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews’.
Romans always insist that the prisoner carries part of his own cross to the place of execution. They never use the shortest route. They want as many people as possible to see this demonstration of Roman power and suppression. Jesus is dragging a heavy piece of wood from which he will hang. Simon doesn’t want anything to do with this spectacle, but in the crush of the crowd there’s no way out – nowhere to go. Like everyone else, he moves to the side of the narrow street, pressed flat against the wall, to allow the procession to pass. Jesus, harangued by his Roman escorts, is hardly moving. His injuries are visible and horrible. He is visibly very weak. He can hardly stand let alone walk. Anyone can see there’s no way he can carry that wooden beam. He grinds to a halt.
The Centurion checks Jesus and recognises that he is at risk of losing consciousness. At risk of dying in the street. He wants to keep Jesus alive for long enough to kill him on the cross. The Centurion glances around the crowd. His eyes lock with Simon. Why Simon? Probably because it’s obvious to everyone that he’s a visitor to Jerusalem. His clothes, his skin tone. Everything about his gives him away. This man is not from Jerusalem. The Roman’s don’t want grief with the local Jews.
There is no conversation. Simon is dragged from the crowd by a soldier and ‘compelled’ to carry the wooden beam in front of Jesus. He has no choice. He is terrified. He doesn’t know, or care, who this Jesus is. All he knows is that he, Simon, is now carrying a heavy cross-piece to the place of execution. He has been forced centre stage in a grotesque drama in which he should have no part, and which will end with a violent death. Romans cannot be trusted. What is the prisoner doesn’t make it to the end? Simon is in fear of his life.
End Piece
Earlier in his ministry, Jesus said that those who want to follow him should pick up their cross. Simon is a kind of literal example of this. How does this work for us – for you?
If you are a follower, there is always a cost. Agreeing to follow Jesus – to really follow Him, there will be some kind of sacrifice. Following Jesus means living differently. Maybe setting aside something of your life. Making less money. Making no money! Doing something you never expected to do. Doing something you never wanted to do. Some kind of sacrifice. Something which is part of your life. Something you have to recommit to, day after day. It may not be something which looks huge to other people, but it will matter to you. Taking a risk for Jesus. That’s the cross which Jesus calls you to carry.
On that day, in that dusty street in Palestine, Jesus was in need. Something needed to be done to fulfil God’s plan. Simon had the skills. Simon was there. Simon was the man.
Jesus went to the cross for you. Look around. Every day. Look for what Jesus needs to be done. Look for your cross. Pick it up. Follow.