Words of Jesus: July 7, 2026

Tuesday July 7, 2026

Luke‬ 23‬:26‬-27 ‬ RSV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ “And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him.”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

In Mark 15:21 it says that Simon had two sons with him.

Mark‬ 15‬:21‬ “And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.” RSV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The use of their names in the book of Mark, and the mention of their names in the book of Romans suggest that Simon, Alexander and Rufus were familiar to the writers of those books. Were they witnesses to the crucifixion who became followers of Jesus? Did the Holy Spirit use the immense suffering of Jesus to also reveal His divinity to them?

Thank you Holy Spirit for working in our hearts, souls, minds and strength, to build our love for You, dear God. Amen.