“It is for freedom that

Christ has set us free”.

GALATIANS 5:1
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4

In this issue:

“Be a Simon”

Luke 23:26 “As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene…and put the cross on him and made
him carry it behind Jesus”.

Simon watches as the crowd presses in closer and closer to look upon this Man who struggles
with unbearable pain and exhaustion as He walks along the Way of Sorrows.
 He sees how this Man, straining under the burdensome weight of the wooden beam, nonetheless,
carries it upon His bruised and battered form. Simon, this traveler from Cyrene, listens, as the people
shout derisively and mock this very One who only days before they had proclaimed a King. He hears the
laments and weeping of those who truly love this Man they know as their Messiah. And oh, how these
faithful few grieve over the fate of this Innocent! Then suddenly Simon finds himself thrust from the
crowd as he is chosen to bear this burden for Jesus - shouldering upon himself the heavy wooden cross.

It was not compassion that caused the enemies of Jesus to select Simon that day. The Scriptures
show us how these wicked and evil men with selfish desires to see our Lord tortured and crucified, were
responsible for this terrible scene just described. However, we now see how Jesus as He walks the road
to Calvary seemingly receives a pithy respite from the awful burden that was the Cross. Jesus Christ
already knew that the ultimate sacrifice awaited Him on Golgotha’s hill but for a brief moment in time,
someone was helping Him bear that load.

Sometimes we too are called to help a fellow believer who is collapsing under the weight of a heavy
load of trial, whatever it may be. This is a hurting and dying world we all live in and as Christians we are
not immune to its pain and suffering. Every moment of every day, many of our fellow believers find
themselves struggling to maintain their way in Christ. Many are troubled and vexed by the cares of this
world. Many stumble and fall into sin. Many seemingly lose their way along this narrow road we travel.

Those of us, who are mature and stronger in Christ, should strive to be “Simons” for these hurting
and weary ones in the Body. These of whom the Scriptures speak in Romans 15:1 that, “we, who are
strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak” are the same who struggle with the load of that cross
they must bear. They should know that a “Simon” is at hand, willing to help them when the yoke is too
heavy, finding someone to lead them to the One who says, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
(Matthew 11:30)

As “Simons” we ought to:

➢ Help the weak – “Carry each other’s burdens and in this you will fulfill the law of Christ”
(Galatians 6:2); “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the
weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: `It is more blessed to give than to
receive.” (Acts 20:35)

➢ Put others above ourselves - “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” (1
Corinthians 10:24); “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4),

➢ Earnestly pray and intercede for one another - “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that
your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:32);”I
urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for
everyone...” (1 Timothy 2:1)
 ➢ Show love – “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”, (John

13:35); “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for
your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.” (1 Peter 1:22);

➢ Show compassion - “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as
in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32); “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
(Colossians 3:12); “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as
brothers, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8)

➢ Show concern – “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those
who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 3:13); “Rejoice with those who
rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15)

➢ Motivate and encourage – “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up “
(Romans 15:2); “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is
helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
(Ephesians 4:29); “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you
are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Brethren, let us remember how Jesus, the Son of the Most High God received help when He needed it
most. How much more so do you think God would want us to help our fellow Christians in their time of
need? Pray and ask for direction and God will lead you in how you can be a “Simon” for someone else.
Let us also pray that as we do this, our example will also reap a harvest of “Simons” that will go and do
the same.

Won’t you “BE A SIMON” today?

Written by Sis. Margie Jimenez

Questions, comments: MJ7862@aol.com