AN UNWILLING PARTNER

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the placed called Golgotha (which means ‘the place of the skull’). Then they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. And they crucified Him. Dividing up His clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was nine in the morning when they crucified Him. (Mark 15: 21-25)

Mark tells his story in short bursts of information – no embellishments; no details; just the bare facts.

After His sleepless night without food to build His strength, walking long distances and having to stand for hours, then being flogged until He was close to death from severe shock, blood loss and pain, Jesus was exhausted. He could no longer walk, let alone carry the heavy crossbeam of His cross. The soldiers knew that He would never reach Golgotha if they forced Him to go on.

None of them would carry it for Him. Strong as they were, not one of them would shoulder His burden, so they pressed a stranger into service to carry it for Him. Did any words pass between Simon and Jesus? Did Jesus express gratitude to Simon for doing this small deed of kindness for Him although Simon was coerced into it? He did not dare protest lest he get more than carrying Jesus’ cross for a mile or two to the place of execution. How did he feel about this unexpected imposition? Was he angry, resentful, or rebellious against the Romans?

Mark slipped in a comment which fills this little detail with significance. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Who were Alexander and Rufus? Why did Mark connect Simon with his sons rather than with his father? Other Bible characters were linked to their fathers by way of identification, for example, Simon son of Jonas (Peter), Bartimeaus (son of Timeaus) etc. Bible scholars generally agree that these two men were known to the Roman readers (and may have been prominent Christians in the local church), while their father was not. Mark’s letter was written for Romans, hence the many explanations of Jewish customs as well.

The mention of the name Golgotha, where crucifixions took place, also needs a comment. The translation of the name, again for the benefit of the readers, implies some sort of natural formation which resembled a skull. Tradition has it that the place where Jesus was executed was on a hill. However, biblical details imply something different. Jesus was crucified next to a thoroughfare outside the city and next to a rock formation that looked like a skull. The Roman authorities chose this spot so that the executions would be spectacles to passers-by to serve as a warning to stay within the boundaries of their authority or face the same fate.

He was offered a cocktail of sour wine and myrrh before they drove in the nails and lifted the cross into the hole into which the upright was dropped but He would not drink it.

“Why did Jesus refuse the wine and myrrh mixture? He did not want to die from poisoning or have his senses numbed while on the cross. He knew that He had to shed his blood in order for Him to become the supreme sacrifice for the sins of all man, and He refused to take the easy way out of it.”

http://www.biblestudy.org/question/why-did-jesus-refuse-to-drink-wine-with-gall-while-on-cross.html 

Many false teachers have rejected the truth that Jesus’ death was real – either that He did not die on the cross or that He was not dead when He was taken down and buried. However, we have the “sure word of prophecy” that Jesus fulfilled what was written about Him centuries before. In Mark’s terse, undetailed account of Jesus’ crucifixion, without making reference to the Old Testament, he confirmed the fulfilment of prophecy.

They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar to drink. (Psa. 69: 21)

They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing (Psa. 22: 18)

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by His wounds we are healed. (Is. 53: 5)

This is a factual, eyewitness account of what happened to Jesus, not some fanciful, incomprehensible, philosophical religious waffle. Jesus suffered and died a terrible death so that those who believe in Him might have everlasting life.

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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