Wrong Place, Wrong Time
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)
There is more than meets the eye in this verse found in Mark’s gospel. At first glance, it appears to be a bit of an aside and unessential to the main story. But for many of the early readers of Mark’s gospel, the story of Simon conscripted to carry the cross of Christ pointed to God’s amazing grace.
Simon was a black man from Libya (Cyrene). He was likely a Jewish proselyte who had made the long journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual Passover. But as he made his way into the city, he suddenly felt the cold steel of a Roman sword on his shoulder, and he found himself compelled to carry the cross of a man recently condemned to death.
The man, of course, was Jesus. What happened after Simon completed his involuntary service is unknown. What we do know is that this same Simon, together with his family, became followers of Jesus.
This is why Mark describes him the way he does, the father of Alexander and Rufus. When we compare this verse to Paul’s greeting to Rufus and his mother in Romans, it’s not hard to put two and two together and realize that Simon, who appeared to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, was clearly in God’s place at God’s time.
There have been times in my life when I’ve asked God, “Why me? Why here? Why now?” But years later, looking back, I am able to see God’s hand at work. And what seemed to be a detour was, in fact, God’s hand at work in my life and family as He prepared us for places and purposes we never dreamed of.
I suspect some of you reading these words are wondering why you are where you are at this time and place in your life. In today’s podcast, I share a little bit of my struggle in this past year. I also share that, while I don’t know all that God is up to in my life, I am trusting Him to use me at this place and in this time.
For everything, there is a time and a season, Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes. And many times, those times and seasons cause us to wonder what in the world God is up to wind up being some of the most significant and life-changing times in our lives.
It’s not by chance you are where you are today. Like Simon, you are in God’s place at God’s time, and you can be certain that God will use this time and place to shape you into the follower of His Son, Jesus, He is calling you to be.
Lord, it’s hard to see what you’re doing in my life right now. I’m confused, and I’m struggling. Help me to accept, by faith, that I am exactly where you want me to be. Amen.
In Christ,
Dan