Why me, Lord?
Ponder: Why do bad things happen to good people? (James 1:2, 3)
Scripture: “Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross” (Matthew 27:32).
	Days before, Simon had left his home in Cyrene (in North Africa), some 800 miles from Jerusalem. Now, as he came to the city, Roman soldiers grabbed him. Laying Jesus’ cross on him, they compelled (forced) him to carry it to the crucifixion site.
	Most likely, Simon had come to observe Passover. Now, having contacted this accursed instrument of execution, he was unclean. He could not participate in the Passover this year. How many more years would pass before he could afford the time and expense to return (if ever)? What ill fortune! Or was it?
	Simon certainly would not forget this encounter with Jesus! How did it affect him? Did he ever become a Christian? We cannot say for certain, but Scripture offers some interesting possibilities. Mark 15:21 mentions that Simon was “the father of Alexander and Rufus.” Mark evidently expected his readers to know these two men. Judging from his style, Mark wrote for a Roman audience. In his letter to the saints at Rome, Paul sends greetings to “Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine” (16:33). If this is the same Rufus that Mark mentions, then he and Alexander appear to be Christians, along with their mother. All of them may well have learned of Jesus from this Simon who had carried His cross.
	Apparent misfortunes can turn into eternal blessings. Simon of Cyrene missed an opportunity to observe a feast commemorating Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. No doubt it grieved him. But he gained the opportunity to encounter the Son of God, who has the power to deliver everyone from the bondage of sin. “Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:34).
	We would like to think that Simon took full advantage of his contact with Jesus. Regardless, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Trials come upon us even when we are sincerely trying to serve the Lord. Trust Him to bring good from it!
Song: “In the Hour of Trial”
Prayer: Father, when trials come upon us, as they surely will, grant us the grace to see your hand in it all, knowing You will never leave or forsake us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Joe Slater