Jesus’ Journey to the Cross: Week 2
The road to the cross wasn’t an accident—it was the plan from the beginning.
In this series, Jesus’ Journey to the Cross, we’re walking with Him step by step through the final days of His life on earth and studying from the book of Mark. From the dusty roads of Galilee to the agony of Gethsemane… from the trial to the tomb… every moment reveals the depth of His love and the weight of His mission.
As we journey with Him, we’ll discover what it truly means to follow Jesus, not just to the cross—but through it, into resurrection life.
The Week that Changed the World:
Did you know that nearly 40% of the Gospel accounts are focused on just one week of Jesus’ life? Think about that. These books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—span decades of ministry, miracles, and parables, yet they devote almost half their space to seven days. Why? Because that week is everything.
And at the center of that week is this moment: Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.
We call it the triumphal entry, but there’s more going on than palm branches and parade-like celebration. Jesus was stepping into prophetic fulfillment—specifically from Zechariah 9, where it says:
“See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey…”
It’s a king arriving in humility. Not a warrior on a horse, but a Savior bringing peace. Jesus rides in not to overthrow an empire—but to win hearts.
Hosanna! The crowds shouted it as Jesus entered the city. But what does it mean?
Hosanna isn’t just a cheer—it’s a cry for help. It literally means “Save us.” The people were declaring their desperate need for rescue. They saw the Messiah, the long-promised King, and they pleaded: Save us!
And here’s where it gets personal:
Do we cry out like that?
Are we still in touch with how much we need a Savior?
Or have we started to treat Jesus more like a spiritual sidekick—“good buddy Jesus”—who affirms us, encourages us, but doesn’t really confront our need?
Let me be clear: We are lost. Not metaphorically. Not occasionally. At our core, without Jesus, we are completely, utterly lost.
We don’t need a little help. We need transformation.
There’s a version of modern thinking that says humanity is mostly good—we just need some time, better tech, and a few mindset shifts to fix ourselves. But just look around. We’re building double fences to avoid our neighbors. We can’t agree for long on anything. We’re more connected than ever, but more anxious, angry, and isolated than ever, too.
We’re not just in need of self-improvement. We need a Savior. And Jesus doesn’t just offer minor upgrades—He offers resurrection life.
When Jesus entered the city, some worshipped. Others scoffed.The same thing happens today.
Luke’s Gospel tells us that the Pharisees were offended by the crowd’s praise. They told Jesus to quiet them down. And Jesus responded:
“If they keep quiet, the rocks will cry out.”
In other words—this worship isn’t optional. It’s reality. And our response to it reveals something about our hearts.
When we see others lavish Jesus with worship, does it stir joy in us? Or skepticism? Do we resonate with the woman who poured her perfume over His feet? Or with those who rebuked her for being “too much”?
Worship is a litmus test. It shows what we believe about Jesus.
We’re Not Just Invited—We’re Included
God is not casually inviting you. He is actively calling you. The cross wasn’t a suggestion. It was the declaration:
“I want you.”
Jesus is pulling us toward Himself. And when we worship—not just with songs but with our lives—we’re responding to that call.
It’s not about how “good” you are. It’s about whether you’re in touch with your need. That’s where transformation begins.
Let’s not miss the moment. Let’s be like those who cried out Hosanna—because they knew only Jesus could save.
May our hearts come alive again in awe, in wonder, in desperation, and in gratitude for the Savior who came for us all.