March 8 2026

Havasu Christian Church           

March 8, 2026

Faces at the foot of the Cross.   

Simon of Cyrene

INTRO: In these weeks leading up to Easter, we’re starting a new series. “Faces at the foot of the Cross.” We’ll we looking at some of the people who were when Jesus was crucified, and hopefully, we can learn a thing or two from them.

        This week, we begin with Simon of Cyrene…. The man who helped Jesus carry His cross.

        We find this man in 3 of the gospel accounts.

Matthew 27:32 As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.

Mark 15:21 They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross.

Luke 23:26 When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

1. First, we set the scene…
2. Simon is from Cyrene.

Cyrene was a prosperous city situated in fertile countryside that produced grain, wool, olive oil, and silphium--a highly valued spice used for both cooking and medicine. Built on an elevated tableland by Greek settlers, it served as the capital of Cyrenaica in North Africa. (Now the coast of Libya.) The city ranked among antiquity’s great urban centers, with a population exceeding 100,000 at its peak. It gained renown as an intellectual hub, producing notable philosophers including Carneades and Aristippus.

During the 1st century, Jews formed an important segment of Cyrene’s population beginning under Ptolemy I, and these diaspora Jews were numerous enough that Jews from there were so plentiful that they had a particular synagogue they went to in Jerusalem. Acts 6:9 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. The city’s connection to early Christian history is evident through several biblical figures: Simon of Cyrene was compelled by Roman soldiers to carry Jesus’ cross, Cyrenean Jews witnessed the Pentecost events in Jerusalem, and Lucius of Cyrene became a prominent teacher in the Antioch church. Some Cyreneans engaged in debate with Stephen and later became missionaries to gentiles in Antioch. This pattern of movement between Cyrene, Jerusalem, and other Mediterranean cities suggests the city maintained active trade networks and cultural exchange during the first century.

1. The city has inhabitants from all over the Roman world. This included Jews who had come there.
2. Simon could just be a guy from Cyrene who happened to be in Jerusalem on business during Passover… not likely, but possible.
3. Simon could be a native of Cyrene who has become a Jewish proselyte… More likely.
4. Simon could be a Jew whose family moved to Cyrene at some time in the past.
5. If this is the case, Simon has come to Jerusalem for the feast days, including Passover.

1. What we KNOW about Simon of Cyrene!
2. We KNOW that Simon was coming into Jerusalem from the country.
3. The country.. the fields… Agros.
4. This word is where our word agriculture comes from.
5. Simon is coming in from the cultivated lands, not the wilderness.
6. We KNOW that Simon got “pressed into service” by the soldiers who were taking Jesus to be crucified.
7. They make him carry Jesus’ cross.
8. This forced, temporary servitude was common, at least in Israel.
9. Roman soldiers could force you to go one mile with them, carrying their gear.
10. Soldiers were NOT allowed to make you go any farther than that!
11. If they were caught doing so, they would be punished!
12. This may give a little context to Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 5:41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”
13. We KNOW that Simon had two sons.
14. Alexander
15. Rufus
16. We KNOW that after his contact with the Roman soldiers, Simon would have been considered ritually unclean!
17. Some of the laws related to ceremonial uncleanness are related to public health and hygiene, such as the laws addressing skin diseases, mold growth, and bodily discharges. Understanding there was a distinction between “the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean” (Leviticus 10:10) not only set the Israelites apart from other nations, but it served as a visceral reminder of God’s holiness and mankind’s sin. Ceremonial uncleanness made a person realize he needed cleansing and purification to approach the Lord. Unclean Israelites were separated from the temple worship for a time, a symbol of their spiritual uncleanness before God. To be clean, they had to wait a period of time, wash, and, most of the time, offer sacrifices.
18. This means he wouldn’t be able to share the Passover meal, if he hasn’t already.
19. Even if now he lives in Jerusalem, this would be a great disappointment for him and his family!

These details are ALL we know for sure!

1. What can we guess?
2. Simon was affected by his encounter with Jesus!
3. Song by Ray Bolts, “Watch the Lamb” 1986

        Simon and his sons are bringing their lamb into Jerusalem to have it sacrificed for Passover. When “pressed into service” Simon tells his sons to “watch the lamb.” He carries the cross, and witnesses Jesus’ crucifixion. He sees the miracles that take place and is convinced that Jesus truly is the Messiah.

        His sons catch up and tell him and tell their dad “the lamb ran away.” Simon points to Jesus and says to them “Watch the Lamb!”

1. This IS possible… Simon MAY have had his sons with him. They may even have been bringing in their lamb to be sacrificed. It is possible that after carrying the cross that Simon stayed to see Jesus’ death.
2. But is all that likely? I’m not so sure.
3. At the very least, Simon’s day was wrecked.
4. Being dragged into a situation like this? Awful!
5. It would seem that Simon and his Sons were known to the readers of the book of Mark.
6. Why else would he give the names of Simon, and his sons, Alexander and Rufus?
7. Perhaps, just to add “color” to his story, but I don’t believe that’s the case.
8. Do we meet any of these men in other Scripture?
9. Simon:
10. There are 8 other Simons who appear in the New Testament.
11. Simeon in the Old Testament is obviously ruled out!
12. Simon Peter (the disciple)
13. Simon the Zealot (another disciple)
14. Simon the brother of Jesus (his other brothers were James, Joseph, and Judas)
15. Simon the leper (the owner of the home where Jesus’ head was anointed with oil)
16. Simon the Pharisee (the owner of the home where Jesus feet were washed with perfume)
17. Simon Iscariot (father of Judas Iscariot)
18. Simon the sorcerer (who asked to buy Holy Spirit power)
19. Simon the tanner (who Peter stayed with in Joppa when Cornelius sent for him)
20. None of these would seem to be Simon of Cyrene.
21. This is his one and only appearance in Scripture.
22. How about Rufus?
23. The name only appears twice in the New Testament.

Mark 15:21 They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross.

Romans 16:13 Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.

1. Are the Rufas in Mark and the Rufas in Romans the same person?
2. We have no way to know for certain.
3. To me it seems likely.
4. People in the 1st Century travelled around a lot more than we might believe.
5. Everywhere Rome went, they built roads.
6. Rome had a huge population and had to import huge amounts of supplies to keep everyone fed.
7. Rome also had a huge appetite for the “exotic.” All manner of unusual items were carried all over the Mediterranean sea, and the land that surrounded it.
8. With that cargo travelled people. This Rufas in Rome may be the same one who’s father carried the cross of Jesus.
9. What about Alexander?
10. In addition to Mark 15:21, there are four other references to someone named Alexander..

A list of the Simons in the New Testament…

From: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Online   Author of the article, John Rutherfurd

1. A Son of Simon of Cyrene:

This Alexander is likely to have been born in North Africa. (modern Libya) Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the fact, with varying detail, that Simon happened to be passing at the time when Christ was being led out of the city, to be crucified on Calvary. Mark alone tells us that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. From this statement, it’s quite possible to believe that at the time the Second Gospel was written, Alexander and Rufus were Christians, and that they were well known in the Christian community. Mark seems to take it for granted that the first readers of his Gospel will at once understand whom he means.

2. A Relative of Annas:

The second Alexander, referred to in Acts 4:6, was a relative of Annas the Jewish high priest. He is mentioned by Luke, as having been present as a member of the Sanhedrin, before which Peter and John were brought to be examined, for what they had done in the cure of the lame man at the gate of the temple. Obviously, this is not the same Alexander.

3. Alexander and the Riot at Ephesus:

The third Alexander is mentioned in Acts 19:33-34 Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” This riot came about because of Demetrius the silversmith. In his anger against the Christians generally, but specially against Paul, because of his successful preaching of the gospel, he called together a meeting of the craftsmen; the trade manufacturing idols is in jeopardy. From this meeting there comes a riot. The whole city is in commotion. The Jews were wholly innocent in the matter: they had done nothing to cause any disturbance. But the riot had taken place, and no one could tell what would happen. Recognizing that the fury of the Ephesian people might turn violent, and that they might be the ones attacked, the Jews "put forward" Alexander, so that by his skill as a speaker he might clear them, either of having instigated the riot, or of being in complicity with Paul. This only increased the clamor and confusion. There was no clear idea among the rioters what they wanted: an anti-Jewish and an anti-Christian demonstration were mixed up. Alexander, trying to help turn the general feeling away from the Jews just made things worse. 

4. Alexander an Ephesian Heretic:

The fourth of the New Testament Alexanders is one of two heretical teachers at Ephesus--the other being Hymeneus: 1Timothy 1:19-20. The teaching of Hymeneus and Alexander was to the effect that Christian morality was not required--antinomianism. They put away--"thrust from them," faith and a good conscience; they willfully abandoned the great central facts regarding Christ, and so they "made shipwreck concerning the faith."

These Gnostic teachings were not only harmful, but they spread quickly. Their ideas that denied the future resurrection of the body involved included the denial of the bodily resurrection of Christ, and even the fact of the incarnation. The way in which therefore the apostle dealt with those who taught such deadly error, was that he resorted to the same extreme measures as he had employed in the case of the immoral person at Corinth; he delivered Hymeneus and Alexander to Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme.

6. Alexander the Coppersmith:

The fifth and last occurrence of the name Alexander is in 2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. This Alexander was a worker in copper, a smith. This Alexander, and the two previous ones, could be the same man. In regard to this, it should be remembered that all three of these Alexanders were resident in Ephesus; and it is specially to be noticed that the fourth and the fifth of that name resided in that city at much the same time; the interval between Paul's references to these two being not more than a year or two, as not more than that time elapsed between his writing 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. It is therefore quite possible these two Alexanders may be one and the same person.

In any case, this last Alexander has done many evil deeds to the apostle. These evil deeds had taken the form of personally opposing the apostle's preaching. The personal antagonism of Alexander manifested itself by his greatly withstanding the proclamation of the gospel by Paul. As Timothy was now in Ephesus, leading in the church there, he is strongly cautioned by the apostle to be on his guard against this opponent.

1. Is there a connection between Alexander, the son of Simon of Cyrene and any of these other men?
2. I certainly hope he is NOT the Alexander from Ephesus.
3. This Alexander is a Jew, but is obviously not a convert to Christianity.
4. I Hope he isn’t the Heretic Alexander in Ephesus.
5. It is certainly possible.
6. Many start out right, and they stray.
7. I hope he’s not the Alexander who was the coppersmith.
8. This Alexander is mentioned by Paul as having “done him much harm.”
9. It is possible that these Alexanders are one and the same.

1. Is there reason to hope that we’ll meet these men (and Mom) in heaven some day?
2. YES!

Acts 2:6–12 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 

7   They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?

8   “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?

9   “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10   Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

11   Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.”

12   And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

Acts 2:37–41 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”

     38   Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

     39   “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 

     40   And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 

     41   So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

1. Simon and his family were most likely part of the group who heard the message about Jesus.
2. If not on the day of Pentecost, when about 3000 gave their lives to Jesus, in the days following when many, many more people chose to follow Jesus as Lord, Savior and Messiah!
3. Perhaps these people never became obedient to the Lord, but I’m an optimist. I sure want to believe that they did!
4. WHAT A STORY TO TELL IN HEAVEN!
5. “I had no idea when the Soldier grabbed me, what was really going on!”

Conclusion: Simon, our first “face at the foot of the cross,” was thrust into a position he had no desire to ever be in.

        He did what was required of him, and we still remember him today!

• Simon, at least for a short distance, became a follower of Jesus. He followed Jesus, carrying His Cross!
• We are called to “take up our cross daily, and follow Him!
• Unless he left Jerusalem immediately, Simon had the opportunity to choose to follow Jesus.
• He may have been forced to physically follow Jesus while carrying the cross, but he was not forced to become a believer and carry his own cross!
• When we are confronted with the Gospel, this is a choice each of us must make!
• It is a choice that is best to not put off!
• Simon had children to teach.
• Children are our first Mission field!
• I suspect he did this job well.
• One of his sons may have become “Alexander the Heretic,” and the other may have become “Rufas, the choice man in the Lord!”
• No matter how hard you try, children make their own choices! Pray for them!
• Simon probably had to miss the Passover meal.
• But Simon had the opportunity to follow the true Passover Lamb… Jesus!
• Simon, if he chose to “follow the Lamb” will one day take part in the “Great marriage supper” in heaven! Revelation 19:7–9 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ ” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.”
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• Finally, I think we’ll all agree that it’s better to remembered for the good we do, Like Rufas, and not the evil we do, like Alexander the heretic!