Rufus. Not a big name like Peter, Paul, John and James. But, Rufus. You may have never heard of him. That is very possible. I could only find reference to Rufus in two verses. Why would we notice him? What does his name have to do with us? Why is his story so fascinating? Well, friends, I am glad you asked.
Get ready to get to know Rufus. I have been plowing over his two verses, reading commentaries and trying to decide how he is like me. Really? We are two worlds and lifetimes apart.
Introductions Please
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. Mark 15:21 Rufus, the son of a certain Simon of Cyrene. If you are not aware of Simon’s story, it is part of God’s perfect plan. Simon was traveling back into Jerusalem as Jesus was exiting the city gate collapsing under the weight of the cross He was bearing for you and me.
Christ had been beaten, ridiculed, spit upon, slapped in the face, and then forced to carry His cross to the place where He would be hung for all who came near to see. Faint from his journey, the guards grabbed a man from the crowd to carry the cross.
Enter Simon. The guards forced him to carry the cross in Jesus’s place to Golgotha. One brief moment in time. One brief encounter with the King of All Kings changed his course and the course of his sons.
Many people from Cyrene were Jews. They had their own temple in Jerusalem and when they came to celebrate Passover they would gather at the temple. Not at this hour. Not for this Cyrene.
His course was changed
Why would Simon’s course need to be changed for God’s purposes?
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Romans 16:13
Not only was Simon’s course changed, read this verse in Romans carefully. Paul says, greet Rufus. From the references I have read, it is probable that this is the same, Rufus.
Can you imagine the impact carrying the cross had on Simon’s family? Here we see Rufus was chosen in the Lord.
Chosen. This usage of the Greek word literally means, properly selected, especially as a deeply personal choice. Chosen out of a personal preference (intention).
The Lord had a purpose and a ministry for Rufus to fulfill. He was God’s personal choice and was chosen with intent.
Something to Ponder – If God intently chose Rufus, did He place Simon at the city gate knowing the impact it would have on Simon hence impacting Simon’s son Rufus?
I do not pretend to know the thought processes of a Mighty God but I do know God always has a perfect plan.
Mark adds their names to Simon’s encounter at the cross because by this time (Mark's gospel) he and his brother, Alexander, were well known in the ministry.
Simon was pulled from the crowd. Although we know very little about him, we see the probable impact it had on his children. God’s purpose for His chosen is in the furthering of His kingdom. We can certainly see evidence of that in His chosen child, Rufus.
What has God done in your family to get you where you are in the furthering His kingdom? If God chose you, what are you doing to spread the Good News of the Gospel?
Our Story was changed
This story is so amazing to me. I love to read through Bible history and see God’s plans laid out in perfect fashion. I am comforted in knowing God knows the plan He has for my life.
One verse I treasure is from Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
That is our Good, Good Father, Friends!
Next week, I will share my Rufus story with you. I hope you will come back to see how I see my family tree playing out in this beautiful story.
In the meantime, I encourage you to write your Rufus story. Maybe share it with us at Sitting Among Friends.
How have you seen God impact your family tree to get you where you are? Maybe you are the first in your family to come to Christ, how are you impacting future generations?
Maybe you have not yet come to Christ but you see how He has been in pursuit of you and protecting you and you want to make that decision. If you have not yet made a decision for Christ, I would love to have a conversation with you. Find my contact information at the bottom of this page.
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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. Mark 15:21
