The Final Chapter?

They (the Roman guards) forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus' cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus. And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha. They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. Then they crucified Him and divided His clothes, casting lots fro them to decide what each would get. Now it was nine in the morning when they crucified Him. The inscription of the charge written against Him was: The King of The Jews.
They crucified two criminals with Him, one on his right and one on His left. (So the scripture was fulfilled that says: 'and He was counted among outlaws.')
Mak 15:21-28

Have you ever noticed that a lot of detail was know about the man who was forced to carry Jesus' cross. Mark would have had to have been able to meet Simon again at a later time. We have not heard about him before but the fact that this gospel was written later could account for the fact that Mark now knew him. We see Rufus again mentioned in Romans 16:13.

The guards try and give Jesus wine mixed with myrrh, a primitive narcotic, but He refused.

After having crucified Jesus these men cast lots for his clothes. They would have to have been valuable for them to bother. We don't hear them casting lots for the criminals clothes.

Isn't it interesting how the divine is woven in with the carnal and ordinary and they fail to notice it. The Son of God, saviour of their souls was here and they failed to notice, that is, until, He dies.

I wonder how Simon was impacted by carrying the cross, forever and ever he would remember this pure, sinless man. Did he wait around and hear Him forgive His abusers?

The soldiers would soon realise Jesus was indeed the Son of God, how did it impact on them?

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