Bearing Witness

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the
country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. ~Luke 23:26

I often wonder why this story about Simon is included in three of the four Gospels. It's an oddly specific yet brief mention about a guy who just happened by. Why mention his name? What is the lesson that he brings?

While Jesus' crucifixion was the most famous in history, thousands upon thousands of people were crucified in ancient times. It was considered the most brutal and shameful way to die. For that reason, I imagine that crowds often gathered in a macabre kind of way. While they may have watched and jeered from the safety of a group, it is unlikely anyone wanted to be singled out or called by name. Being identified might make you vulnerable, or considered sympathetic to the accused. 

But to be taken hold of and named would make you a witness. And this might be where our lesson lies.

Bearing witness means to acknowledge that something exists or is true. In psychology, it involves the sharing of traumatic experiences in an effort to provide healing. 

More simply, bearing witness is to see and be seen. 

It takes courage to be a witness. When we watch another person struggle we take on a share of the pain ourselves. This is felt even more strongly when we know and love the one who suffers. But there is also great honor in being a witness. To walk with someone and bear their cross for awhile is a gift of trust both given and received. 

Simon may or may not have known Christ. But he forever carried the privilege of being witness to Jesus' final moments in this world. 

There are so many hurting right now. The times in which we live make being present for one another harder and harder. Yet there has likely never been a point when the need to be seen has been greater. 

Who needs you to be a witness today?
How can you be there, empty of judgment and ready to respond?
Who can be your witness? 
How can you reach out to ask for help along the way? 

 "The ultimate touchstone [of friendship] is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone." ~ David Whyte