October 1
(Luke 23:26 NIV) “As they led Jesus away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.”
(Mark 15:21 NIV) “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.”
Divine interruptions are not always pleasant, but they always serve God’s purpose. Simon of Cyrene was minding his own business when a Roman soldier ordered him to carry the cross of Christ. Jesus had been weakened by a severe beating and was unable to carry its weight. Simon was likely perturbed that his life had been interrupted. He had to be anxious about the welfare of his two sons. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time… or was he? As believers, we will need to do some unscheduled, tough ministry at times. It may be unpleasant -- even painful. This may come as a shock, but being comfortable and being a Christian are not always compatible. We are called by God to hurt along with others… to share their pain… to carry their cross… even though we may have other plans. And when those divine interruptions come, we are in the right place at the right time. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day
