Think of all the things we’ve looked at this week and all that Jesus went through.  Peter’s denial of Jesus and the anguish that must have caused Him. Jesus before Pilate and all the accusations thrown at Him by some of the very people that, days before, had praised Him and then, that same crowd calling for Jesus to be crucified. He was spit upon, mocked, and cruelly flogged with whips that were topped with bones and nails.

As you read this text today, notice the mention of “a certain man from Cyrene, Simon” (Mark 15:21). We don’t know much about this man except for where he came from and who his sons were.

A number of years ago we did ministry in a place that had not heard the Gospel. The people there had no hope, other than seeking witch doctors, who both cursed and “healed” them. People would spend all they had looking for a cure, trapped in darkness; the good news of the Gospel was such freedom to them!

The Jewish leaders, led by the High Priest, were now determined to have Jesus put to death. Since the Jews were under Roman law it was illegal for them to kill Jesus. They knew, however, if they took him to Pilate and claimed that Jesus was the King of the Jews, Pilate would have the power to kill Him, because the Jews were not allowed to have a king other than Caesar. I am struck by Pilate’s struggle with Jesus.

A number of years ago we did ministry in a place that had not heard the Gospel. The people there had no hope, other than seeking witch doctors, who both cursed and “healed” them. People would spend all they had looking for a cure, trapped in darkness; the good news of the Gospel was such freedom to them!