CHANGED FOREVER

Mark 15:21
"A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross."

Scripture tells us that this man, Simon of Cyrene, was just standing by, watching. In Matthew 27:32 and Luke 23:26 we are told,  the Roman soldiers made Simon carry the cross and follow Jesus.
Can you imagine this scene? This man has just come into town and stops to see what all the crowd and noise is about. He had no way of knowing that in that one moment his life would be changed forever.

HOW DID THE CROSS CHANGE THIS MAN'S LIFE FOREVER? 

1. The Cross brought him into the presence of Jesus Christ.
    Simon was so close to Jesus that he would have been able to smell him, touch him, feel him, hear him
    breath and see him face to face.

2. The Cross made him follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
    Simon could not get off the path or run away. The cross kept him focused.

3. The Cross changed his family forever.
    In Romans 16:13 Paul mentions Simon's wife and son, Rufus as chosen in the Lord and very close to
    his heart. The Cross will capture the hearts of entire families.

4. The Cross made him a part of the Worlds Biggest event and the saving Work of God.
    Until this moment in Simon's life he was a regular common person. Now with the Cross of Jesus
    Christ in his life, he is now chosen and has a purpose and plan for his life.

Mark 8:34
"Then Jesus called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. "

QUESTIONS:
Are you just standing by watching from a distance?
Have you been wanting to step up and follow the Savior but just to afraid to follow in His footsteps?
Why won't you deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus?


1 Peter 2:24a
"He Himself bore our sins in his body on the tree..."

By this one simple act, Simon of Cyrene was changed forever.

WHAT HAS THE CROSS DONE FOR YOU?

Today's Thought:

Lord, lead me to the cross where your love poured out! Lead me to the Cross!!


Be encouraged! The Lord will walk beside you with every step as you walk in his path.
Do not delay or wait another moment. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, repent and then receive total forgiveness for your sins. As you pray for forgiveness, receive your salvation and your healing of brokenness and immediately run away from your sin and into the loving kind arms of the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ today.
If you have made the decision to follow Christ please let us know and we will encourage and guide you along the path to knowing the freedom in Christ.

If you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior but need to pick up your cross and daily walk with the Lord, I encourage you to start a renewed commitment to God today.
With Christ all things are possible.