Today’s Old Testament reading (Psalm 78) is a summary of the history of God’s Old Testament people revealing the unfaithfulness of the people and the faithful love of their God.
 
We can stand in judgment over the Israelites and shake our heads in disgust. "How could they so quickly forsake the God who rescued them from Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land?"

However, the psalmist did not review history so we could stand in judgment. Instead, his goal was that this history would lead us to ask ourselves:

• How has the Lord shown his power and love to me in the past?
• How am I being unfaithful like the Israelites?
• Where am I failing to trust in the God who can save me?

The New Testament reading (Luke 23:13-32)  teaches the same history lesson. Jesus is led out to be crucified. The people of Jerusalem rejected their King. It is easy to stand in judgment on them. But the Holy Spirit preserved Jesus’ warning about the destruction of Jerusalem not only for the people of that day, but for us as well. A judgment day is coming. Let us search our own hearts and minds. What action or inaction does God see as a rebellion against Him?
 
When we do that, we will appreciate anew that the soldiers did not force Jesus to “the place called The Skull” (Luke 23:33). Jesus went to the cross because of the faithful love of God for unfaithful followers like us.



A chance encounter - an unfair demand - a life changing event

Chat GPT created the scene above of a man identifying himself in the crowds of Jerusalem: "Simon from Cyrene."

Matthew, Mark and Luke all record this man's name. How did they all know this stranger's name? He wasn't carrying a sign that announced who he was.

Mark and Luke both tell us that he was "coming in from the country." He was coming from the opposite direction of the crowd taking Jesus out to be crucified. He didn't plan to be part of this event. It was a chance encounter. 

They "forced" Simon to carry the cross. Matthew and Mark both use a term that was used of soldiers who had the authority to compel people to help them as they carried out their duties. It was an unfair demand.

So how did the three gospel writers know this stranger? 

As I read through the gospels, I've noticed that there are many individuals introduced to us whose names are lost.

• The widow of Nain whose son was raised. What was her name? No one knows.
• The centurion whose servant was healed. What was his name? No one knows.

Both events recorded in Luke 7. They were just two people in the crowds of people that Jesus blessed.

But when all three gospel writers record the name of Simon it indicates that this man did not remain an unknown person in the crowd.

This chance encounter... this unfair demand... must have changed Simon. His name would have become known to the gospel writers after the event as he became a part of God's Church.

Mark also mentions Simon's sons Alexander and Rufus. This chance encounter ... this unfair demand resulted in Simon's sons becoming prominent members of God's Church. 

What chance encounter will God create for you today? What unfair demand will you respond to? Let us trust that the faithful God of Simon will be able to use events in our lives to draw us into a closer relationship with our Savior and use us to draw others to the Savior too.