“有一个古利奈人西门，就是亚历山大和鲁孚的父亲，从乡下来，经过那地方，他们就勉强他同去，好背着耶稣的十字架。” – 可 15:21
在储备了物资之后，我一路长途攀登到了阿巴拉契亚山道的黑岩小屋，那时我的背包感觉更重了。那天是耶稣受难日，我有点累，然后我想起了古利奈人西门在很久以前的史上第一个耶稣受难日所背负的可怕的重担。
圣经中关于西门的记载很少。我们知道他来自北非的希腊城市古利奈，他有两个儿子。我们不知道西门为什么来到耶路撒冷，但我们知道一些罗马士兵强迫他背耶稣的十字架。那件奇怪的刑具可能重达75公斤。
西门在耶路撒冷狭窄的街道上艰难地走着，耶稣在城外蹒跚着走向刑场。我们不知道西门是怎么看耶稣的，但耶稣当时的样子一定很惨——疲惫，流血，被鞭打，被羞辱，被虐待。虽然西门背着沉重的十字架，但他为耶稣感受到的悲伤可能比为自己还要多。
我们也应该为耶稣感到悲伤。更重要的是，我们应该感谢祂那无价的爱。正如祂为我们舍己，祂也呼召我们选择祂为爱舍己的道路，跟随祂的榜样。
祷告
主耶稣，我们无法想像你为我们的罪所承受的痛苦。请帮助我们全心全意地爱你，服事你。阿们。
马可福音 15:21-32
21有一个古利奈人西门，就是亚历山大和鲁孚的父亲，从乡下来，经过那地方。他们就勉强他同去，好背着耶稣的十字架。
22他们带耶稣到了各各他地方（“各各他”翻出来就是“髑髅地”），
23拿没药调和的酒给耶稣，他却不受。
24于是将他钉在十字架上，拈阄分他的衣服，看是谁得什么。
25钉他在十字架上是巳初的时候。
26在上面有他的罪状，写的是：“犹太人的王。”
27他们又把两个强盗和他同钉十字架，一个在右边，一个在左边。
29从那里经过的人辱骂他，摇着头说：“咳！你这拆毁圣殿、三日又建造起来的，
30可以救自己，从十字架上下来吧！”
31祭司长和文士也是这样戏弄他，彼此说：“他救了别人，不能救自己。
32以色列的王基督，现在可以从十字架上下来，叫我们看见就信了！”那和他同钉的人也是讥诮他。
A Heavy Burden
“A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Rufus and Alexander, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.” – Mark 15:21
After I stocked up on supplies, my pack felt heavier as I made the long climb to Blackrock Hut on the Appalachian Trail. It was Good Friday, and as I struggled a bit, I was reminded of the terrible weight Simon of Cyrene had to carry on the first Good Friday long ago.
The Bible tells us very little about Simon. We learn that he was from Cyrene, a Greek city in North Africa, and that he had two sons. We don’t know what had brought Simon to Jerusalem, but we do know that some Roman soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. That grotesque instrument of torture could have weighed as much as 165 pounds (75 kg).
Toiling through the narrow streets of Jerusalem, Simon walked along near Jesus as he staggered toward execution outside the city. We don’t know what Simon thought about him, but what a sight Jesus must have been—exhausted, bleeding, and mangled from being flogged, humiliated, and brutalized. Though he carried the heavy cross, Simon may well have felt more sorrow for Jesus than for himself.
We too should feel sorrow for Jesus. Even more, we can be thankful for his costly love. And just as he gave himself for us, he calls us to choose his path of costly love and to follow him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we can’t imagine the pain and suffering you bore for our sin. Help us to love and serve you with all of our hearts. Amen.
