Jesus was scourged – whipped with a flagellum (a leather whip with at least three “tails”, tipped with bone, metal and glass).  Jesus – His face and body marred with deep cuts, bruises, His skin and muscles torn.  Jesus – sentenced and condemned to die on a cross (crucifixion).
  Jesus – body weakened from loss of blood and dehydration was led to Calvary (Golgotha, the Place of the Skull).

  And as He was going the soldiers “seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.” 
  (NASB Luke 23:26)
  Simon of Cyrene seized to carry the cross – for the sake of Christ.
  Who was Simon of Cyrene?  We know that he was from Cyrene (northern Libya).  We know he was from the country.  We also know that he was the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21).  At least one of those sons and Simon’s wife became followers of Christ.  (Romans 16:13) 

  What are the thoughts that come to mind when we are “seized” to carry out orders in which we may not agree?  Simon had no choice, he was a bystander.  There are followers of Christ in countries where they are being “seized” – for the sake of Christ. 

  Being where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing and things fall apart…you are involved in something that is completely out of your comfort zone.  But like Simon, you may be used of God. 

  When the living God of the Bible calls you and me into ministry – with what attitude do we serve Him?  For the sake of Christ – shouldn’t our attitudes draw others to know our Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer?  To love our Lord and to love people is to be expressed in our attitudes and actions with the motive of love. 

  As we live this day, with what attitude should we choose – for the sake of Christ?