Good Friday at Gateway

Tonight, we will hear from a passerby on the road to the cross. 

Simon of Cyrene is recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke as having been suddenly forced to carry the cross of Jesus.

We don’t know much about Simon of Cyrene, but the man we hear from tonight is a likely version of him. We know Simon as the father of Alexander and Rufus, and that all 3 were possibly known later in the Christian community. Otherwise, why mention their names at all? It’s as if to say – “go ask Simon about Jesus – he carried the cross”. 

But details about Simon of Cyrene are not the main point. What matters tonight is your own walk with him along the via Dolorosa – the way of sorrow.