We know very little about Simon. He was from Cyrene, an African city over 850 miles from Jerusalem. He arrived in Jerusalem Friday morning for Passover, but this wouldn’t be any ordinary Passover. Simon was forced from the crowd to participate in an event that changed eternity. 

Matthew, Mark, and Luke record Simon’s conscription to carry Jesus’ cross to Golgotha. But Mark provides details about Simon’s family. His two sons, Alexander and Rufus, were with him. 

Simon’s name comes from a Hebrew verb meaning “to hear, to listen, to obey.” This kind of listening includes hearing with understanding and with a heart intent on following through with action. People in crisis and chaos (both the helpers and those in the midst) want others to do this kind of listening.

“Alexander” is a name created by combining two Greek words, “man” and “defender” and Rufus’ Latin roots simply means “red.” 

That morning, on the Via Dolorosa, surrounding Simon were these messages: The Defender of Men covered in His own red blood is here! 

Heavenly Father, Do Mark’s details highlight Your answer to human hearts, even as it was happening? “Mankind, I have heard your cry for deliverance. Your defender is here. He is red, covered in His precious blood.”

And do You continue to remind us, even in the midst of chaos and turmoil in 2024, to “Listen closely and do what you have seen and heard from this One covered in His own red blood, your defender, your rescuer, and your healer!”

Do you know your defender?