Station 5 – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross

"As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross." -Matthew 27:32

For some reason, I thought Simon offered to carry the cross and the guards just let him, but that’s not so. They must have been slowed by the beaten, exhausted Jesus dragging the cross, so they compelled a passerby to carry it awhile. He was not part of any of this, just a man caught up by circumstance. He didn’t act out of devotion but out of obligation. And yet, his heart was changed through that act. Matthew notes that his children were Christians; this chance encounter, literally walking with Christ, stirred Simon’s heart and made him a believer. Under the weight of the cross he found God’s love.

Sometimes we aren’t motivated by love; sometimes our actions are products of circumstance and obligation. Yet they can still be done with love. They can still lead to Christ. Our sufferings can bring about unexpected joy and grace. Times of pain and persecution can compel to walk with Christ and carry our crosses, making us stronger than we expected.