
It has been speculated that Mark's comments concerning Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mk 15:21), were known by people in Rome. Cyrene was the Roman capital in Northern Africa. It could be that he moved his family to Rome to participate in the church there. Tradition states that Mark wrote his Gospel in Rome and to the saints in Rome. So they would be familiar with the father of Alexander and Rufus when he wrote of Simon.
We also see the greetings from Paul in Romans 16:
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.1
Can the thread of influence be reflected by Simon's children and wife? James Brooks,a Bible Commentary writer, claims his belief that the son's were respected members of the church in Rome. The line of thinking certainly gives one a reason to pause and consider.
Jacob wrestled with God in the Old Testament. He limped from that point on. Has your walk changed since meeting Christ at the cross? Is the change visible to others? We have not been the same since that day.
Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
1 The New International Version. (2011). (Ro 16:13). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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