Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 23:26
Simon of Cyrene
Depending on how well you know someone, it is either: “I get to,” or, “I have to.” Attitude is everything.
Jesus is being led out of Jerusalem, at the same time Simon is coming from the country into Jerusalem, he is just passing by; the soldiers compelled Simon; his name is very specific, “Simon of Cyrene,” not some other Simon; his sons are named; at the time that Matthew, Mark and Luke are writing, the church knows who Simon and his sons are.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Everything in this life and in the life to come hinges on how well you know Jesus.
J.I. Packer, "When we walk along a clear road feeling fine, and someone takes our arm to help us, as likely as not we shall impatiently shake him off; but when we are caught in rough country in the dark, with a storm getting up and our strength spent, and someone takes our arm to help us, we shall thankfully lean on him."