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Just a little bit overwhelming this morning to worship the Lord with you all. I attended a lot of different churches while I was gone and was very often disappointed in the lack of expressions of worship in the cross-centered, Christ-centered ways and so refreshing this morning.

Well, when John Calvin was exiled from Geneva for three years and had to leave. Came back three years later, his first Sunday back after three years, he picked up with the next verse that he had left off with three years before. I've only been gone two months, but we're going right back to where we left off. We are now near the cross. After all these many years of journeying with Christ, it only took Him three years to live His life of ministry. It's taken us ten to follow Him and understand everything He taught and did. We have come finally now to the last two chapters of Luke's great gospel, chapters 23 and 24 which take us to the cross and to the resurrection.

For this morning's text, it's Luke 23 and verse 26 is where we will pick up the narrative of Luke. Luke chapter 23 and verse 26. However, to put the setting in our minds, I want to go back to verse 13 of Luke 23 and begin reading there.

Luke chapter 23 and verse 13. "And Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people and said to them, 'You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion. And, behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. Nor, has Herod. For he sent Him back to us. And behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. I will therefore punish Him and release Him,' for he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner....