I loved this month’s study. Don’t you love the dig on Simon, the Cyrenean? (Every time, I type that place of his origin, auto-correct turns it into a type of dog from the mountains in Spain.) But Cyrenaica, a real place in Libya was home to Simon, who was compelled to bear the cross of Christ. I loved learning about the ossuary containing an Alexander, son of Simon of Cyrene–a box that still is hidden in a back room of the Hebrew museum in Jerusalem. It’s a box that was found in a sealed and unlooted tomb. Now, I know that we cannot be sure this is “our” Alexander, but it’s really faith-building to look into the scriptures about him. I believe he and Rufus must have been prominent in the early church. Why would Mark have pointed out (Mark 15), to early Christians. that the Simon who had carried the cross was their father, if the early church did not know who Rufus and Alexander were?
And in Acts 2, when the church was born on Pentecost Day, there were those from “the parts of Libya around Cyrene”. This is not surprising, since lots of Jews had been forced to settle in Cyrene in the year 285 B.C. But don’t you think Simon was there? Why would he not be one of the first to be baptized, after having carried the cross to a place where he would witness it dropped in the earth… an earth that would quake, opening tombs and suffering its dead men to walk? He had witnessed darkness for hours in the middle of the day and he knew about the massive torn curtain (top to bottom) in the temple. I believe he obeyed and I believe he brought his sons, Rufus and Alexander, to a life change, too. Of course, it is not recorded this way, so it is speculation. But it has some substantive speculative evidence. I am going to look for them in the sweet by and by!
Happy 12th month digging! There’s an empty tomb and women were among the first to witness that event that gives credence to all of our faith (1 Corinthians 15)!
More Groups!
31. Lexington, Kentucky! This one meets in the home of Barbara Johnson. Home groups are always so fun! She says it’s a room full, but they can squeeze in a couple more! Barbara is the best and her number is (859) 797-9264. (and I can’t wait to see her at PTP!)
32. Back to Texas: This one’s in Wylie. I think this one’s growing! Contact is Facebook: Stephani Minor, a great friend to have!
33. This one’s in Olathe, Kansas. Contact is Zac-Sarah Hall on Facebook. This group will meet at the Park Street church at 515 Park Street in Olathe. With the exception of the first few months, the meeting time will be the 4th Saturday of each month, from 11-12, with a carry-in lunch for those who’d like to stay and visit over lunch. (How far is this from me?…Sounds wonderful!)
34. My friend, Melissa Draper, says their group in Macon County, Tennessee, will be meeting the second Sunday of each month at 3 pm. Melissa’s number is 931-510-9320 and her Facebook profile is Mel Draper. And you will love her!
35. Another Tennessee group meets in Elizabethton. the building in which they meet is at 137 E C Street, Elizabethton 37643. They meet on the second Sunday each month at 5. Kerri Epling is a great fellow-worker in the kingdom and her contact info is: kerriepling@gmail.com or 423 737 1433. (And I think my friend, Diana, is sometimes the home hostess, too!)
Yet more next time!