The Power of a moment

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.  Mark 15:21

Some life experiences are branded on our memories in such a way that we will never forget them.  We remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we heard that a plane flew through one of the towers on 9.11.  For the older generation it may be when JFK was shot, man stepping on the moon or the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Its like a screenshot was taken while the video was still playing

Mark records one type of event during the crucifixion of Jesus.  A man, Simon of Cyrene, is compelled to carry the cross of Jesus on the way to Golgotha.  The side note is the click of the camera, “the father of Alexander and Rufus”.  His two sons were present when this happened.  They saw Jesus.  They saw him too weak to continue.  They saw all of the blood and torture present on his body.  They saw a man that needed help.  Jesus was not in the position to heal, teach or perform a miracle.  He needed the physical help of another man to accomplish his task.  Their dad was that man.

Mark includes their names because they were witnesses of the death of Jesus.  Tradition, not scripture, has it that these two became missionaries.  Perhaps Rufus is the one mentioned by Paul in Romans 16.  Regardless, Mark’s inclusion of their names is at the least, names that others could search out to validate the story and facts of Jesus crucifixion.

But I want you to pray for your children and grandchildren to have memorable moments.  These moments come in a split second.  Most of the time they are not planned ahead.  The action is such that it makes an imprint.  This impression shapes their world view and impacts how they interact with people for the rest of their lives. 

Your child watches you when you could tell a lie, but tell the truth.  Your child sees when you are over-paid and you make the effort to return the money that is not yours.  Your child hears and sees you forgive the man who just drove in your lane nearly causing an accident.  Your child sees you worship God and they know if you are faking it or if it is a sacrifice of praise.  Your child sees and hears you talking with God and when you tell them what you believe He is saying back.  Your child may have even experienced your conversion to Christianity and how it changed everything in your family.  Your child watches how you apply the Bible principles to your daily life or fail to integrate it.

We can be intentional in making sure that our children attend not only church, but special religious events.  Your children should go on mission trips, all night pray times, service projects, and going door to door to share the good news.  One of those times…God is going to imprint Himself on you and your child.  Your child just might get to see you carry the cross of Jesus.  For we are physically now the hands and feet of Jesus.

Tell the stories often how God has moved in your life.  Remember to include others in the story, for God was impacting them also.  Psalms 73 tells us to recite these stories to our children and grandchildren that they may also tell of how God works in our lives.