No one wants to carry their own cross or another cross. One cross is enough to bear. Yet the second cross is of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ if we bear his message. Today we talking about a man named Simeon of Cyrene called Niger(black) based on the color of his skin, not for any other reason. Some will consider the word offensive, but it no different then saying I have peach skin in a crowd of african american woman. They could call me by my dark brown hair as well probably. It just a distinction of how someone is known, not a racial slur in scripture. Something to note is change of skin came about during the exile of Jerusalem and notation is made I think it the book of Lamatations. Yet there is historical evidence of change of skin color taking place during migration of the people of the world. Had nothing to do with sin itself, but cause and effect of climatic and dna changes. If we talk about changing of skin we could speak of animals coloring how it changes with the seasons, but not because of weather, yet there is also a difference in domesticated animals verse wild ones. Yet changes take place over time based on even diet because of vitamins in foods. Yet no one truly knows why changes in skin happened beyond it did and has for centuries, changes are still notes today and some from vitamin deficiency. Yet what we have to accept is God made us all individuals no one pure in any color of skin or race, we are all mixed and matched of all nationalities especially in America. Our ancestory hard to trace but most of realize I think by now, it not about race but how we interact with each other in love and compassion when labling. This man Simeon of Cyrene had compassion on Christ as he carried the cross for Jesus. He might of been compelled by the crowd to carry Christ cross, but it was more then that for he was disciple of Christ and would continue to be a disciple of Christ. He was not one of the twelve. He had two boys with him the day he carried the cross for Jesus. He carried not because of Christ inability but because it was to much to bear for any man. Yet Christ is more then a man but the Son of God. Was this human weakness seen in Mark in our continual scripture study for today. The answer is yes in regards to the body not the spirit of Christ. As the Son of God he was more then capable of carrying his own cross but the journey of the cross is seen in full humanity, because he did not have his burden removed from himself.

Simeon from that day forward as legend goes continue to serve Christ and in Acts we see his name, most scholars agree it is the same Simeon of Cyrene that was with the prophets and teachers in Antioche that commission Barnabas and Saul for the work of God. The men fasted and prayed over them and sent them on their missionary journey. Simeon a devout man of God, full of the Holy Spirit working within the church at antioche. What does it mean to follow Christ but to pick up the cross of doing as Christ did by teaching and preaching and sharing the good news. To bear the work of the Lord and aiding our brothers and sisters in Christ who are doing the same. Simeon carried both the physical cross of Christ and the spiritual cross of Christ.

Why were no other compelled to carry such an heavy burden. Perhaps it was the ability to carry the weight of the wood. Christ was carpenter by trade. He would of been able to carry the weight of much wood under normal circumstances. This was extreme. He had been beaten and lost much blood. Simeon was of Cyrene, Africa. He might of been a devout Jew but he was not from Israel. A stranger of the land of Israel to help in the carrying of the cross. Maybe God used this to symbolize something we over looked. The Gentile nation would carry the cross of Jesus through the land helping the jewish christians. A mixture of people carrying the cross of Jesus, Are we blind to the fact there are more then one person carrying the cross of Jesus then ourselves. Look around how many churches sit on the streets carrying the cross of Jesus. How many people in the world inside and outside carry the cross of Jesus. One might be in area of people that know not Christ but if you know Christ it is your duty to carry the cross where you are first and once rejected to travel on. Our duty to share the Gospel and to continue to reaching the lost to those around us.

When Christ himself calls you to bear the cross or the call of spreading the Gospel it is the first step in ministry to spread the good news where you are, or to where ever Christ leads you to go. You might be working and leave your work to go do, or you might get to remain and be a witness where you are. Mission field is often missed around you because it harder to share sometimes with those you know then ones you do not. Why is that, because it is our imperfection or reaction to things that sometimes do not measure up to the word of God and people do not understand it. People often look for the perfect minister and the only one that is truly perfect is Jesus. If as Christians we could explain we are imperfect in the human since but not in imperfect before God because of Christ covering our sin to the world, the world might look differently at the believer and perhaps not.

Simeon carried the physical cross compelled by the crowd, not by his disciples. No doubt those that followed Christ were watching, and yet in shock of what the world was doing to their Lord. The women that followed would of been perhaps to weak to carry the physical cross of Christ, the men around able, but not all were ready to pick it up. Not all ready to share in the burden. Peter was heart wrenched at denying knowing Christ, John was with the women trying to console, and where were the others, we really do not know, some had run away when they came and got Jesus in the garden, where were they there now. No one knows.

What we do know is Simeon aided Jesus in his effort to go to Calvary, the place of the skull. The crowd pressing Jesus to go forth unto death. Not one man alive is willing die the death penalty but our Lord went forth to his death. Why had not the soldiers that mocked him aid him, they were strong no doubt for battle, and yet they lifted not one finger but to nail the nails and lifting of the cross for Christ death. The crowd around him jeering the execution as if it was some big pep a rally saying you are the Son of God take yourself off the cross. Making someone carry the cross for Jesus, showing they could remove Christ cross from him, but would not. Christ himself carried the burden and sentence that was due Barabas a thief and killer, who was free from the yoke of bondage of the crime against him. In this way the crime of Barabas is paid by Christ. An innocent lamb would be slain for the crime of humanity.

When we bare the burden of Christ we are not put death as Christ was. It usually because of those in opposition to Christ and his message or breaking of the law of man that restricts the preaching of Christ in one's city. It not because of crime of humanity in regards to thievery, killing, or such. It is over the message of Jesus. What is wrong with loving God and loving others. What is wrong with helping others that is different then yourself. What is wrong with teaching about Jesus, who spoke about eternity, judgment and truth to all those he spoke too. Why are lies more interesting to some? Some people rather watch the made up television series verse real life on social media that is a mixture of truth and lies but it is causing interaction with friends, family and aquaintances. Mixture of encouragement and frowny faces at time.

What is the point? Can you pick up your cross and follow Jesus and teach others about Christ despite what those around you do. Some can not and others carry the burden to their death, and to life eternal with Christ. Will you carry your burden now, will carry the message of the cross of Christ dying for the sins of the world. Will you tell them you are forgive because Christ forgave you on that very cross. Can you forgive, most of us struggle with forgiveness at times. Our humanity shining brighter then the cross we desire to carry for Jesus. Are you going to allow Christ to shine brighter then your own burdens. Are you gong to care about others more then yourself. Yet at times you do have to take care of yourself. Are you going to illuminate Christ in your life, how he enables you in your life's journey. You can be downer for Jesus, or upper. What I mean can others see that Jesus is enabling you to press forward in this life with love for others, lifting and encouraging others in Christ and sometimes aiding when possible. God sent the Holy Spirit to the believer to enable and to comfort you in doing his work. Are you willing to step up to the plate of doing the work of the Lord. Are you will to let Christ shine in you. Are you willing to aid in someone else burden. Are you willing to be part of the rescue effort of God by teaching about salvation. Your cross in the cross you bear of your own life and responsibilites, Christ cross is sharing the word of God. Simeon the Niger(black) did just that when he pick up the physical and spiritual cross of Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father help us to carry your Son's cross of sharing about you and the cross of your Son by the aid of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study for Devotion: Mark 15:14-23 KJV
14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.