RTW 2024

A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)

Mark 15:21

The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:54

• Simon of Cyrene is mentioned in three of the four Gospels. 
• He carried Jesus’ cross out of Jerusalem and up to Golgotha. 
• Cyrene was in modern-day Libya, on the coast of northern Africa. 
• Cyrene was home to a large number of Greek-speaking Jews. 
• Jews from all over were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover. 
• Simon of Cyrene is mentioned in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 
• Mark provides the most information about Simon. 
• He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. 
• Mark’s audience was Roman. 
• Mark is believed to be the earliest Gospel written. 
• Mark assumes that his audience knows Alexander and Rufus. 
• Paul greets Rufus in his letter to Rome. 
• Romans 16:13
• Paul calls Rufus “chosen in the Lord” and his mother”has been a mother to me, too.”
• The impact of Simon’s encounter with Jesus impacted future generations. 
• Each of our personal encounters with Jesus should impact future generations. 
• Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.
  I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.
  Psalm 145:4-6

Think generationally. Be the change for the next generation!