When I was an object of much contempt and derision in the University, I strolled forth one day, buffeted and afflicted, with my little Testament in my hand. I prayed earnestly to my God that He would comfort me with some cordial from His Word, and that, on opening the book, I might find some text which should sustain me… The first text which caught my eye was this: “They found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; him they compelled to bear His cross.” You know Simon is the same name as Simeon. What a word of instruction was here — what a blessed hint for my encouragement! To have the cross laid upon me, that I might bear it after Jesus — what a privilege! It was enough. Now I could leap and sing for joy as one whom Jesus was honoring with a participation in His sufferings.
— Charles Simeon (1759–1836), Pfarrer
Related Bible passage: MAT.27.32
Topics: Discipleship, The Bible & the Word of God, Joy & Gratitude
Occasions: Encouragement, For Reflection
Charles Simeon
Charles Simeon (1759–1836) war ein englischer anglikanischer Geistlicher und Fellow am King’s College, der über fünf Jahrzehnte an der Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge wirkte. Er prägte den evangelikalen Aufbruch maßgeblich durch sein 21-bändiges Predigtwerk „Horae Homileticae“ und etablierte gegen jahrelangen universitären und gemeindlichen Widerstand die fortlaufende Auslegungspredigt. Für Bibelleser heute steht sein Ansatz für eine konsequente Schriftauslegung, die theologische Spannungen aushält, anstatt biblische Texte in vorgefasste dogmatische Systeme zu zwingen.
All quotes by Charles Simeon (6)
Jesus calls us not to a new religion, but to life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Prayer does not equip us for greater works – prayer is the greater work.
Oswald Chambers
In a sense, learning to follow Jesus is simply learning to pray the Lord’s Prayer.
N.T. Wright
Being a Christian is not a 'do-it-yourself' affair.
Jerry Bridges
God has not called us to success, only to faithfulness.
Mother Teresa
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
Jim Elliot
Do not be afraid of Christ. He demands nothing and he gives everything.
Pope Benedict XVI
A Christian is not a man who never goes wrong, but a man who is enabled to repent.
C.S. Lewis