Cyrene

We are introduced to Cyrene in the New Testament, when it first appears in the Gospel of Mark. This was a Libyan city in North Africa separated from Egypt by a section of the Libyan Desert.

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Originally a Greek colony, Cyrene, a veritable oasis in the desert, was a haven for weary travellers as its climate was delightful additionally it was a fertile and productive city.

This city gained its place of importance when one of its citizens was chosen to carry the cross of Jesus.

There was a man from Cyrene named Simon walking into the city from the fields. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. The soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Mark 15:21 ERV)

Though Simon had been impressed by the Roman soldiers into carrying the cross, this act, by its connection to Jesus’ journey to Golgotha, was not by happenstance but was the result of divine design and orchestration.

The soldiers led Jesus away. At that same time there was a man from Cyrene named Simon coming into the city from the fields. The soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross and walk behind him. (Luke 23:26 ERV)

You see, God can and will use anyone to accomplish His purposes here on earth.

Simon of Cyrene was minding his own business when he was placed in direct contact with Jesus. But isn’t that like God? It is when we are about our own business that God seizes us and puts us in position to have a divine encounter. He takes us from the desert to the cross of Jesus.

That’s exactly what happened to Saul, Jesus’ most avid persecutor. While on his way to Damascus to arrest any followers of Jesus he may have found there (see Acts 9:3-20), and still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord (v 1), God had His way with Saul and, after this divine encounter, this one-time persecutor became Paul of whom God said was an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel (v 15 NRSVUE).

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NLT)

When Simon left Cyrene, he could never have imagined that he would be deliberately chosen to be of use to the Lord; God may have used the soldiers’ grasp, but it was definitely God’s hand at play.

Beloved, I hope you understand that God can use you too, even if you believe that you are unusable (see 1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

Mark and Luke’s similar accounts are all we know about Simon of Cyrene but that is no indication that his story ended after he carried the cross. No one’s story comes to an end after encountering the cross, for that is where your real story begins.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Cyrene” © 2026 June 27, 2026