On the Way to the Cross - Good Friday Reflections!

Jesus said I Am the Way the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6). 

Today we celebrate Good Friday.  It is the day we remember that Jesus was crucified.  This coming Sunday we'll celebrate His resurrection which fulfilled the prophetic decrees made throughout the centuries during the Passover feast.

As I reflect today I'm encouraged to focus on "the way" Jesus took to the resurrection.  

• Triumphal entry - "hosanna to the Son of David" (Matt 21:9)
  
• The teaching - "I Am the light of the world" (Jn 12:46)
• Washing His disciples feet - He serves (Jn 13)
• A new commandment - "that you love one another as I have loved you" (Jn 13:34)
• Jesus embraced the cross - "not my will but Your will be done" (Lk 22:42)

Jesus led by example.  He was an living epistle read by men.  We have their testimony of what Jesus did here with us this day. If we are called to re-present Him, and we are, then we will need to follow Him in the way.

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The way to life leads us through the cross. 

Jesus way began with cries to the Son of David. David served as a type and shadow of the kingdom.  His passion for God's abiding presence led him and the leaders of the nation to set up a tabernacle on MT Zion to invite our Lord's abiding presence.  In fact, Acts 2 says David foresaw Christ was to sit upon His throne.  

Passion for His Presence
Our way to the cross begins with a passion for God's presence that is marked by an attitude of prayer, praise and worship.  This seats God upon the throne of our heart so He can help us rule and reign in our own domain. How is your devotional life?  Is it inviting God's presence continually?

The way leads us to Jesus who is the light of the world.  He who abides in Christ SHOULD NOT live in darkness (Jn 12:46).  In darkness you cannot see. It is a very broad path that leads to destruction but the narrow way that Jesus provides leads to abundant life.

Passion for His Truth
Our way to the cross is a narrow way (Matt 7:14) that leads to abundant life; not just for us but for everyone else who'll join us on that way. How is your way?  Is it full of light or darkness?  

His way then leads us to serve.  Jesus being the Master and Teacher served those whom He taught and was sent to save.  

Passion to Serve God and People
Our way to the cross leads us to service.  It is part of laying down our life and dying to ourselves.  How is your service in the kingdom?  Is it out of love and is everything you do for others done as unto the Lord?  

His way leads us to love.  In fact, 1 Corinthians 13 teaches us that without love none of the works above lasts.  

Passion = Love
Our way, our walk, our works, our life produces fruit.   Eternal lasting fruit comes from works rooted, grounded, and motivated by love; love for our Lord and love for people. John 15:13 " Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."


His way leads us to do God's will. Jesus wrestled in prayer seeking an alternative rather than dying on the cross. Never the less He submitted His will to our Father's will and in doing so died, so that He could rise again becoming the head of the Church because He was the firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18).


Passion to Do God's Will
Our way follows Jesus so that we each learn to bear our cross and die to ourselves and live for Him.  Jesus struggled with the decision but God's enabling power (grace) enabled Him to do what He could not do in his own power as just a man.  Jesus became the firstborn of many brethren.  We are to follow in His footsteps and embrace our cross that we to might join Him in resurrection power.  



Matthew 16:24-27
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. NKJV


I pray that you and your family would enjoy a blessed Resurrection Day this coming Sunday.