Today we conclude our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will have been looking into stories that are not literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series has simply focused on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in Luke 23:23-27

Jesus, so weary from the beating he has received that he cannot continue to bear the weight of his cross. The Roman guards needing to get this show on the road, grab Simon and demand that he carries the cross for Jesus.

Simon came to the Passover with his family to remember when God delivered the Children of Israel from the death grip of the Egyptian empire and their bondage there. But the story Simon found himself thrust into was different.

This was a new kind of redemption, a new kind of deliverance. This is the story of Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world.

Here’s the question: What does Simon the Cyrene have to do with you? With me?

By the time Simon enters the story, Jesus has already been tried and sentenced to death.

The Jewish leaders didn’t have the authority to put Jesus to death, they would need to enlist the help of their otherwise hated enemy- The Romans.

After facing a mock trial before Herod, Jesus appears again before Pilate and his accusers.

The guilty gone free, and the innocent condemned to death. That’s the story of Jesus. That’s our story.

And it’s this story that Simon of Cyrene is thrust into.

We don’t know a lot about Simon even though his story appears in 3 of the 4 gospel accounts.

By Cyrene, it means that he’s from an area of Northern Africa known by that name.

The gospel of Mark records that he is father to Alexander and Rufus, and he has come to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover Festival.

Simon disappears from the story as the crucifixion continues. Jesus is crucified between two criminals.

I think it’s safe to say, this procession, this moment specifically never faded from Simons memory.

In a very real sense, in the days ahead the parade that Simon of Cyrene witnessed will pass before us. No one will force you into the story like the soldiers did to Simon. No, we must choose to get into the story.

We must choose to take up our cross and follow after Christ

Jesus never hid the true cost of discipleship. To join Christ, is to die to ourselves. To surrender our hearts, our desires, our attitudes to him. It is giving Jesus all authority in our lives. And unlike Simon of Cyrene- nobody will ever force you to bear that cross.

You must accept the call of Christ. You have to choose to follow after him. It’s the only way that truly leads to life.

The cross the Simon carried, was my cross, and it was yours. Jesus bore the penalty of sin for you and for me. Now he calls us, to bear our cross. Not that we literally die for our sins, no, that work has been done. But we are invited to lay down our right to ourselves, our self sovereignty, essentially all that we are- lay that down and follow Christ.

That’s the call.

Will you join Simon in bearing your cross, following after Jesus?