Faith Formation: Matthew The Gospel of God With Us. Matthew 27:32-37 - October 30, 2024

Then they led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And they went to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Matthew 27:31b-37 

The crucifixion of Jesus was a public spectacle. Rome typically used crucifixions and execution to intimidate, deter, and control the populace through fear. Jewish historian Josephus wrote about these things.  Jwr 7:37-40  “While Titus was at Caesarea, he solemnized the birthday of his brother [Domitian] after a splendid manner, and inflicted a great deal of the punishment intended for the Jews in honor of him; for the number of those who were now slain in fighting with the beasts, and were burnt, and fought with one another, exceeded two thousand five hundred. Yet did all this seem to the Romans, when they were thus killed ten thousand several ways, to be a punishment beneath their deserts. After this, Caesar came to Berytus, which is a city of Phoenicia, and a Roman colony, and stayed there a long time, and exhibited a still more pompous solemnity for his father's birthday, both in the magnificence of the shows, and in the other vast expenses he was at in his devices thereto belonging; so that a great multitude of the captives were here killed after the same manner as before.” JW 7:37-40 The Gospel of Luke described the “parade” through Jerusalem that became known as the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Suffering. A “great number of people followed him…”. He spoke with women who lamented as he walked by. Two criminals were also paraded along the way to Golgotha. Golgotha, a rocky outcrop that resembles a skull, was likely the site of many crucifixions. It was a public space known to people. The world was a more brutal place. Many paintings of the crucifixion include the image of a skull at the base of the cross connecting our mortality with the death of Christ. While some lamented, others saw spectacle, perhaps relief when criminals were executed, while others simply became angry at Roman brutality and became more entrenched in their opposition. Imagine a scene in a state where capital punishment still happens. The person sentenced to death, paraded through the streets on the way to a city park on the edge of town where an electric chair or gas chamber was erected for all to see. As the parade wound its way through the city onlookers screamed insults, saw death as justified, or in futility lamented the brutality. The Romans intended to humiliate criminals, deter rebellion and sadly provide a macabre form of entertainment/spectacle. Scenes of violence still have a sad but powerful attraction, either as entertainment in movies or as news scenes of disaster are shown on endless repeat.

Simon of Cyrene (capital of North Africa province in what is present day Libya)  was in the crowd. Simon was simply a pilgrim bystander in Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. Unfortunately for him, he was compelled to carry Jesus' cross. Jesus, weakened by the flogging and abuse, was not able to bear the physical weight of it, though the shame and suffering of it never let go of him. The mention of a specific named person, not a main character or disciple is rare in these stories. The Gospel of Mark adds the detail that Simon was “the father of Alexander and Rufus.” Such specificity may indicate that this family was known to the community of faith, possibly converts and witnesses to the events of that day. He was compelled, forced to carry Jesus’ cross. No one would volunteer to do such a thing. Even though he would not be crucified himself, it would be humiliating and frightening to carry a cross under any circumstances. 

The specificity of Simon’s name may have come into the story in order to contrast someone who bears the cross with another Simon who denied the cross. Simon Peter denied cross bearing twice. He literally refused to accept the idea of Jesus bearing the cross. “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” Matthew 16:22 He also symbolically refused to bear the cross when he denied Jesus three times in the night of his trial. Jesus called his followers to “take up their cross and follow.” Jesus did not compel them. The imagery was no less offensive though. Taking up the cross imagined humiliating service of one whose status was that of a slave or criminal. There was nothing glorious or honorable about it. No one fashioned crosses as jewelry for a very long time. Yet it became the definition of a Christ like life, given fully and lived completely in love for others. Jesus did not bear the cross so we would not have to. Rather Jesus bore the cross in love for the world and called us to do likewise. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught about the commitment and courage it would take to love in this way. “Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, and if anyone forces you to go a mile, go also a second mile.” Matthew 5:39-41 Jesus was struck and did not strike back. Soldiers divided his clothes among them, and he was left naked. Simon was compelled to carry his cross. He was remembered, perhaps because for the rest of his life he took up the cross and bore it mile after mile after mile in repentance, gratitude, and faith, hope and love for the people he met as he lived. 

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus. 

Pastor Tim Bauer