Jesus’ Journey to the Cross: Week 3
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 Savior We Didn’t Deserve
Jesus came to redeem us—not congratulate us. That might sound obvious, but how many of us still live like we’re good enough on our own?
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
—Romans 5:8
Jesus didn’t wait for us to get our lives together. He died for us while we were still a mess. And His love didn’t make Him look at us and say, “You know what? They really are pretty special.” No—His love made Him say, “They’re broken, they’re lost, and I’m going to rescue them anyway.”
Let’s talk about that final week.
Jesus walks into Jerusalem riding a donkey—symbolizing peace, not conquest. The people shout Hosanna! (which means “save us”) and wave palm branches in praise. But the same crowd that shouts “Hosanna” on Sunday is yelling “Crucify Him!” by Friday.
Still, Jesus stays the course.
At dinner with His disciples, He announces that one of them will betray Him. He tells Peter that before the rooster crows, he’ll deny even knowing Jesus three times.
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them.
—Mark 14:27
He wasn’t guessing. He knew. And He chose them anyway. He stayed in relationship. He shared a meal. He invited them to pray. Because Jesus' love isn't based on our performance—it's anchored in His character.
In Gethsemane, Jesus hits rock bottom emotionally.
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”
—Mark 14:34
He asks the Father to take the suffering away. “Everything is possible for You,” He says. But then He prays the most powerful words imaginable:
“Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
He doesn't flinch. He doesn’t bail.
Love stays. Love chooses.
Even as Jesus is abandoned, betrayed, and rejected, He presses forward. Not because the people deserve it—but because they need it.
What Will You Do With This Love?
The Bible says:
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
—1 John 3:16
That’s our calling. To not only receive the love of God but to extend it to the people around us.
Who can you make space for this week? Who could you welcome, invite, serve, or show up for—so they too can see the love that’s changed your life?
Jesus laid down everything for us. And now, we get to lay down a little bit of ourselves for others. That’s the way of the cross.