Simon of Cyrene

Simon had traveled a long way. He came all the way from a place called Cyrene, in Africa, to visit the big city of Jerusalem. He was a strong man with a kind heart.

On the road, Simon saw a crowd. In the middle of it was Jesus, and Jesus was very, very tired. He was carrying a heavy wooden cross, and the cross was too heavy to carry all by Himself.

The soldiers looked around and pointed at Simon. “You,” they said. “Come and help carry it.” So Simon stepped out of the crowd and put the heavy beam on his own strong shoulders.

Step by step, Simon helped carry the cross for Jesus. He didn’t plan to do this when he woke up that morning. But when Jesus needed help, Simon was right there to give it.

Simon never forgot that day. And neither did the people who loved Jesus. They remembered the kind man from Africa who helped carry the cross when Jesus was tired.

Sometimes God lets us help Jesus in surprising ways — by being kind, by lending a hand, by carrying something heavy for someone else. When we help, we are a little like Simon.