Different Views, One Cross

Think of how it looked that day. There was the Roman soldier who, when it was all done, said, "Surely, this was a righteous man." There was Simeon, the one who actually carried the cross for Christ for a bit. What was life like for him after this life-changing incident? We know his sons became leaders in the church and Rufus, the younger son I think, is the one many think is greeted along with his mom by Paul in Romans 16:13. Simon's sons are mentioned in Mark 15:21. Here are the verses...

Mark 15:21 "And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross."

Romans 16:13 "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well."

So, one Friday, a family became chosen for Christ. Chances are they all saw what their father or husband was forced to do. No one else had a perspective on the Cross like they did.

Then there's Mary, His mother. She watched the whole thing.

We know about the thieves crucified with Him. They certainly had a unique and powerful perspective on Christ's crucifixion. Their two reactions were so different.

Then there were the people crying things out to him like, "Save yourself!" They knew His claims. What happened? Others rejected His claims. "Serves Him right," they must have thought.

Today too there are countless different views on this one event. Just like with the thieves though, there are only two reactions: believe or don't. I've studied the religions of the world a little. So far I've seen nothing like the Cross of Christ or the Christ of the Cross. In the end, whatever view we have, the Cross forces each of us to make a decision about it. Was it pathetic and senseless or was it my only hope for forgiveness of sins?