Journey to the Cross
Journey to the Cross
This experience is best done on Friday evening. Begin with 6 unlit candles (of any kind) around a cross and a Bible on a coffee table or similar. Gather around the table. Or you can use this as a private devotional. Have the readings below printed out or open on a tablet to pass around & let everyone share reading.
You will need access to a computer to share the suggested musical selections (or ask Alexa to play them for you). You can eliminate and or pick and choose from these or substitute other songs as you see fit.
Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.
Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul by Matt Redman at
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
Picture an ordinary pair of men’s sandals. What does it mean that God took human form? Jesus once wore a pair of sandals, like any of us might. God, willfully took on the limitations of creation knowing that death was part of the deal. Meditate on the mystery, majesty and humility of Jesus, the Son of God.
Light all the candles
Living Hope by Phil Wickham at
John 12:1-8
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet as an act of worship. You know that the scent lingered in the house, maybe even after the crucifixion. Maybe even into Easter morning. Jesus’ life and ministry embodied humbleness and humility – the proper posture of humanity in the presence of God. Mary’s worship was pure… passionate… extravagant. And it touched the heart of Jesus. Her act of anointing enacts and claims the humility of Jesus even as it honors and prepares him to face the waiting cross.
Imagine the smell of the perfume… let it remined you that our discipleship should be entered into with the same reckless love that Jesus shows us. How can you pour out your love for him with extravagance?
Reckless Love by Corey Asbury at
Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Judas was one of Jesus’ disciples yet he agreed to betray Jesus for thirty silver coins. Maybe he was greedy. Maybe Jesus wasn’t behaving the way Judas thought he should – you know, like a conquering king. Have you ever wanted someone to do something or behave a certain way so badly that you tried to force their hand?
We all want God to give us what we want. What situations tempt you to betray Jesus because you aren’t getting your way or because God is not acting fast enough for you? Imagine holding a small fortune and the only thing it cost you was to betray someone you loved.
Spend a moment silently acknowledging ways you are uncomfortably like Judas. Jesus knew that all of his disciples would face confusion and fear that would scatter them. Contemplate his sorrow and compassion for them.
Extinguish the first candle
You Love Me Anyway by Sidewalk Prophets at
John 18:1-11
When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.
Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father had given me?”
Just before this Jesus had prayed, “God, get me out of this.” He was crushed by the fear of what lay ahead. And yet, because of his great trust in God, he chose to submission with every step he took.
Extinguish the second candle
Man of Sorrows by Hillson at
Matthew 27:20, 22-24 27-31
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and kill Jesus. . . Pilate said, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify him!” But he said, “Why? What wrong has he done?” They shouted even louder, “Crucify him!” Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was starting. So he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I’m innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It’s your problem.”
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Looking in on all of this is Peter. And he is completely undone by what is happening. Fear grips him so completely, that he denies the one on whom he had pinned all of his hope and his future. Three – it’s a number that signifies perfection. Peter perfectly denies his friend and teacher, the one he believed to be Messiah. He is saving his own life even as Jesus is giving up his. How utterly human.
Extinguish the third candle
Scandal of Grace by Hillsong United at
Matthew 27:32-44, Luke 23:39-43
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).
There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charges against him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
In the same way the chief priests, teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I’m the Son of God.” In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him… But the other rebuked him saying, “Do you not fear God…? And indeed we have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Have you ever seen someone being punished unfairly, maybe even taking the blame for something someone else has done? Maybe someone taking the blame for something you’ve done? How does that feel?
Extinguish the fourth candle
Thief by Third Day at
Mark 15:33-41
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he[c] breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
John’s account tells us that Jesus’ last cry was “It is finished!” Hope is what persists after expectations have been devastated. It is a way of life. Hope is what enabled Jesus to endure the events of Friday. He did what he did, trusting that God would continue to act beyond human expectation.
Extinguish the fifth candle
Were you There by Pegasis at
Matthew 27:57-61
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimithea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock.
He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Imagine the weight of a rock big enough to seal a cave. Its heaviness must have been nothing compared to the sorrow Jesus’ followers experienced that day. The Jewish leaders, Rome, death… had won, or so it seemed. Before rushing to celebrate of Easter, spend some time reflecting on grief. It’s a familiar thing for us in these abnormal days. What feels heavy for you right now? How are you struggling to trust God with your uncertainty?
Extinguish the sixth candle
The Wonderful Cross by Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman at
Pray together for family, community & the world.
Pray the Lord’s Prayer
Conclude with “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”
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