Journey to the Cross with Jesus

During the season of Lent, Christians around the world look toward the cross of Jesus. Through devotions, special worship services, and other traditional Lenten practices, Christians somberly reflect on why we need the Savior and look toward the work he came to accomplish on the cross. As we study the stories of Jesus in the gospels, we learn that Jesus reached a point where he, too, turned toward the cross. Join Groundwork for our series, “Journey to the Cross with Jesus,” and together we’ll listen to Jesus’ words and watch his behavior as he journeys toward the cross that will bring us from death to eternal life with Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 

Are we required to observe Lent? 

The simple answer is no. Lent is not a biblical requirement for followers of Jesus. However, many churches and Christians find the practices of the Lenten season beneficial for their faith. The season of Lent is forty days long—not counting Sundays—and begins with the observance of Ash Wednesday. You might hear people talk about giving something up for Lent. Others choose to add a spiritual discipline to their life for the season, like reading a daily devotional written specifically for the season. Many churches add a midweek Lent service for the six weeks prior to Holy Week. Churches and individuals observe Lent differently, but the purpose of Lent is to provide an intentional time of remembrance. It provides direction and focus for our faith and helps us remember who we are and what God did in Christ as a way of preparing our hearts for our Easter celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Read our blog post, A Short Version of the Long History of Lent, to learn more about the how and why behind Lent. 

How will we journey with Jesus? 

In this Groundwork series, we’ll start our study of Jesus’ journey to the cross with the stories that mark a shift in Jesus’ ministry (Mark 8:31-36 and Luke 18:31-34). In these stories, Jesus seems to turn his face toward the cross and the events that occur draw him closer to it. He continues to preach and teach, but he starts telling his disciples that he’s going to die and what type of Savior he will be. The disciples don’t understand and even argue with him, but his journey toward the cross has begun. 

Further, we’ll discuss and study the teachings Jesus imparted in his final days. We’ll remember and learn from the events of Holy Week, including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. In doing so, we’ll watch how all these move him along his journey to redeem us from our sins and restore our relationship with God the Father by suffering and dying on the cross. And finally, we’ll conclude by studying the joyous stories in each of the four gospels of that first Easter that declared Christ’s victory over death through his resurrection. 

Journey with Jesus

I invite you to intentionally reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s great love for you through our Groundwork series, “Journey to the Cross with Jesus”:

• Jesus Predicts His Death - Mark 8:31-36 and Luke 18:31-34
• What Jesus Taught in His Final Days - Mark 9:30-37, Mark 10:13-40, Luke 12:35-40, Matthew 24:36-51, and Matthew 25:31-45
• Holy Week: The Week of Jesus' Death - Matthew 21:1-11; John 13:1-17, 34-35; Matthew 26:26-30; and Matthew 27:32-50
• Easter: Jesus is Risen! - Mark 16:1-8, Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-10

...and together we’ll let the wonderful, powerful stories of Jesus’ journey to the cross fill us again with faith and hope, and draw us to worship in gratitude.