God’s Plan for Redemption Cannot be Thwarted

“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.” Mark 15:21 N.I.V

Simon of Cyrene was traveling on the road minding his own business when he met the mob and soldiers taking Jesus for his crucifixion. Jesus was exhausted from the torture he had been put through, and the heavy cross he had been made to carry. Simon was forced to carry the cross the rest of the way. We do not know why Simon was picked on, but they certainly did not do it for his good. But the wickedness of man cannot thwart God’s plan for redemption. This chance meeting and helping Jesus to carry his cross had a big impact on Simon and he later decided to embrace the spiritual meaning of the crucifixion. He and his family became followers of Christ and evangelized his message of eternal life.

How did you meet Christ? Maybe your parents or teachers forced you to go to church and reluctant as you were, the message got through to you.  God works in mysterious ways to ensure that in the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue proclaim that He is Lord. Simon’s name means hearkening and obedience. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Hearken the Lord voice and your life will be changed forever.

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Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you. – Thomas à Kempis

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