Kamis, 12 Maret 2009

Following Jesus Because of Being Forced

Simon from Cyrene happened to be coming in from a farm, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross. Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus - Mark 15:21

The fifth reason why people follow Jesus is because of being forced. They didn't want to follow Him at first, but their environment forced them. Some of them are because of their job. They had to be present in a church or in a prayer meeting because their boss asked them. Some people actually don't like to be in a Christian fellowship but they have to, otherwise they will lose their job.

Some of our children have to be forced to go to church. They didn't know the value of worshipping God. As their parents, we have to train them, to teach them to follow God with their whole heart.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

Simon of Cyrene experienced this "enforcement". He was just from a farm, didn't know anything and suddenly was forced to carry Jesus' cross and follow Him. Of course he didn't like it. Maybe he was mad, but had no power to refuse. He just walked behind Jesus and carry His' cross, questioned in his heart "What is going on? Who is this Man? What criminal activity He has done? Why must I carry His' cross?"

Simon continued questioning in his mind, trying to understand the situation. He didn't realize that he was following the Savior. He was near Jesus, walked behind Him, heard and watched all things happening. He was there when Jesus was nailed to the cross. Simon was there when all of the disciples ran away for their life. He was near Jesus when Simon Peter denied that he knew Jesus. He was there hearing the last seven words of Jesus. He also was there when Jesus died. I believe Simon finally received Jesus as his Savior after experiencing those moments. Not only that.

They were excited and amazed, and said: Don't all these who are speaking come from Galilee then why do we hear them speaking our very own languages? Some of us are from Parthia, Media, and Elam. Others are from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya near Cyrene, Rome.... - Acts 2:7 - 10

I believe Simon was also there, watching the apostles filled with the Holy Ghost. He also heard Peter’s sermon and were among the 3000 new believers. They were all baptized. Maybe Simon came home gladly and told his family about his conversion. Maybe he told them about his “task” of bearing His’ cross. Maybe he cried when he finally realized that it’s an honor for him to carry His cross. Among multitudes of people, God chose him to carry His cross. What a privilege!

Not only that! Years after, his sons were known as Jesus’ disciples.

On the way they met a man named Simon, who was coming into the city from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross. (Simon was from Cyrene and was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) - Mark 15:21

The early church knew Alexander and Rufus as Christians, as The Lord’s disciples. How blessed is a man whose children are God’s army.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. - III John 1:4

Years before, Simon was forced to follow Jesus, and the Lord remembers it. The Lord blessed his family and chose them to be His special servants. Even, Paul the apostle who wrote 13 books of the New Testament (and also The Letter to the Hebrews) acknowledged it. He said that Rufus was a special servant of the Lord. He also said that Simon’s wife was also a mother to this great apostle. What a blessing!

Greet Rufus, that special servant of the Lord, and greet his mother, who has been like a mother to me. - Romans 16:13

My brothers and sisters, have you ever been forced to follow Him? Have you ever been in a situation that no one left to serve Him and you’re the only one and you felt that the situation forced you to serve Him? You argued, you complained, you murmured because you were forced to do that. Maybe the pianist didn’t come and you had to be there to play the music in the church. You didn’t like it because it’s actually not your task. You did play the piano, but deep in your heart you complained.

I can say one thing that the Lord is always faithful. You don’t see it now, but you will. God is always faithful. I can say this not just because of my experiences (I’ve been there many times), but more than this…..because I believe His words. He is faithful…. Let us also be faithful, like our wonderful Lord who is always faithful.

If we are not faithful, he remains faithful, because he cannot be false to himself." - II Tim 2:13 - Today English Version

If we are not faithful, he will still be faithful. Christ cannot deny who he is." - II Tim 2:13 - Contemporary English Version