Easter is a time where Christians gather in cathedrals and churches and catacombs and communities to celebrate the miracle of resurrected life. As a storyteller, I loved when my dad would recount the resurrection story with the cast of characters: the brut Roman soldiers, pontificating Potius Pilate, weeping Mary, and of course our hero, Jesus.

But as I was reading the account, I noticed a character that makes a small appearance, but sizable impact. The narrative changes and we rarely recognize the man who endured the cross next to the man who was crucified on the cross.

“A man named Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was coming from the fields to the city. The soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus.” Mark 15:21

Simon the Cyrene. He was just walking through town, possibly caught up in the crowds watching as criminals passed by on their way to condemnation.

History is silent on this character other than that he carried the cross for Jesus. Did he argue with the soldiers? Did he beg them to find someone else? Did he try to run away? The bible is silent, but I wonder if he mumbled and grumbled as the beam was placed on his shoulders. I wonder if he stared at Jesus and wondered why this man was condemned to die. I wonder if he had compassion for the man who was bloody, bruised, and bludgeoned.

Whatever his reaction, it is safe to say that Simon the Cyrene probably felt like he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. There’s no way he would’ve known how far he had to carry the cross and definitely didn’t know the events that would take place.

Last night while teaching at Regenerate Church, I asked people what they were carrying this Easter. Are you feeling the weight of the unknown or shouldering a burden that feels heavy? Life is full of plot twists and changes as our story unfolds. But I want to remind you of Simon the Cyrene. He was was the last person to feel the full weight of the cross of Jesus. He would soon discover that the physical burden he carried for Jesus was fulfilling a prophetic word, making a way for his OWN redemption.

On that Good Friday, Jesus was crucified. The Son of Man became a propitiation for humanity. The Creator took the fall for the created. He spread His arms open wide in a poetic demonstration of his love for us.

But the story doesn’t end there! This is merely the apex, the pinnacle, the plot twist that changes the world. Jesus would rise from the dead three days later to fulfill the promise that the weight of our sin no longer has to be placed on our back or carried like a burden.

When Jesus said, “If any of you want to be my followers, forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me,” it wasn’t an invitation to carry a burden that we must shoulder like Simon.

I’m almost positive that Simon walked away from the cross at Calvary unaware of what he did that day. But don’t we know that sentiment too? We walk through seasons in life and sometimes question the burdens we have to carry, but this is part of the bigger Story! There is an eternal narrative being written, and yes, there is pain and difficulties and confusion, but it is because of His death and resurrection we are strengthened to daily carry our proverbially cross.

My dad always told us that sin didn’t keep Jesus on the cross, nails didn’t keep Jesus on the cross, and the soldiers didn’t keep Jesus on the cross. L-O-V-E kept Jesus on the cross. When we read over the Good Friday story and come to the name Simon of Cyrene, may the words of Christ echo in my hearts and minds:

“My yoke is easy and my burden is light…” Matthew 11:30

This weekend is a celebration! May we gather with friends, family, and foes to celebrate salvation, redemption, and plot twists in our lives. May we fix our eyes on Jesus–as Hebrews tells us–the author and finisher of our faith.

You are rescued. You are redeemed. You are loved. How much? He spread His arms out and said, “This much.”