23 May 05 Pressed Into Service

Yesterday I was teaching from Mark 15 and the story of Simon of Cyrene. I talked about how the text says he was “pressed into service” which is a polite way of saying he was forced to do something he did not want to do. I tried to give some examples from everyday life when we, ourselves, are “pressed into service.”

One of the main themes we see from this story is how God works through us and for us even in those things we do not want to do. This was certainly the case for Simon. Mark, writing thirty years after the fact, speaks of Simon in such a way to suggest that everyone knows him. Mark mentions the names of his children, again assuming they would be known by the larger community of believers.

I can certainly see how my attitude could be different in situations where I have been “pressed into service.” Perhaps I should enter these experiences with anticipation and expectation of being part of the gracious activity of God?

As we were cleaning up from dinner last night Reese was asked to take some plastic cups and some soda cans to the recycling bin. He gathered up the cans and in a matter of fact way said, “Ah, I’m being pressed into service.”

The nice thing was that he did not appear to be complaining or griping about being asked to help. Since he has a strong interest in recycling this is one of his normal household chores. I just thought it was odd that he made that particular connection.

Isn’t it interesting what your kids pick up from the weekly message?