COLLECTIVE

Jesus calls His disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. The way of the cross is a path of surrender, not self-preservation. To take up the cross means to embrace suffering, rejection, and even death for the sake of Christ. It is a radical call to discipleship that requires us to lay down our own desires and submit to the will of God.

In the first-century context, the cross was a symbol of shame and public execution. For Jesus to use this imagery meant that following Him would not be a path of ease but of sacrifice. True discipleship requires us to put aside personal ambition, comfort, and security to trust fully in God’s plan. Galatians 2:20 reminds us, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." This surrender leads to eternal gain—losing our lives for Christ's sake means finding true life in Him.

Prayer Focus:

• Ask God for the strength to deny yourself and follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
• Pray for a heart that embraces the cost of discipleship.
• Confess areas of self-centeredness and surrender them to Christ.

Reflection:

1. What areas of your life are difficult to surrender to Christ?
2. How can you take up your cross daily?

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. The world values strength, wisdom, and power, yet God chose to save through what seemed weak and shameful—the crucifixion of Christ. The cross turns human wisdom upside down, revealing that true power is found in surrender and sacrifice.

Throughout history, people have struggled with the paradox of the cross. How could God’s power be displayed in what seemed like utter defeat? Yet, this is the very nature of divine wisdom—the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Philippians 3:7-9 teaches us that everything we once counted as gain is nothing compared to knowing Christ. By embracing the way of the cross, we learn that true victory is not in worldly success but in obedience to God, even in suffering.

Prayer Focus:

• Ask God for the humility to embrace the wisdom of the cross over worldly wisdom.
• Pray for boldness to proclaim Christ crucified, even when the world considers it foolish.
• Intercede for those who are blinded by worldly wisdom and do not yet understand the power of the cross.

Reflection:

1. In what ways have you been tempted to seek worldly approval instead of embracing the cross?
2. How can you grow in faith to trust in the wisdom of God?

We were once dead in our sins, but God, in His mercy, made us alive in Christ. This new life is not meant to be lived in isolation. We are saved into a community—the body of Christ. The way of the cross unites us as a redeemed people, calling us to love, serve, and build one another up in faith.

The early church understood this well. They devoted themselves to fellowship, prayer, and sharing life together (Acts 2:42-47). Being part of the body of Christ means carrying each other’s burdens, encouraging one another, and growing together in holiness. The way of the cross teaches us that we are not alone—we walk this journey with our brothers and sisters in faith. 1 John 4:7-12 reminds us that love is the defining mark of God’s people.

Prayer Focus:

• Thank God for His mercy and grace in making us alive in Christ.
• Pray for unity and love within the body of Christ.
• Ask God to show you how you can serve and encourage fellow believers.

Reflection:

1. How does the cross shape the way you relate to others in the community of faith?
2. Are there relationships in the church that need healing and reconciliation?

At the cross, Jesus bore our shame and triumphed over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. What seemed like defeat was actually the greatest victory. The way of the cross teaches us that suffering and shame are not the final word—Christ’s resurrection is!

Sin brings guilt, condemnation, and separation from God. But through His sacrifice, Jesus cancelled our debt and disarmed the enemy. We no longer have to live under the weight of shame, for in Christ, we have been set free. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." The cross assures us that no matter our past, we stand victorious in Christ.

Prayer Focus:

• Confess any shame or burdens you are carrying and lay them at the cross.
• Thank Jesus for His triumph over sin and death on your behalf.
• Pray for faith to trust in His victory, even in seasons of struggle.

Reflection:

1. What burdens do you need to lay at the cross?
2. How can you remind yourself of Christ’s victory in difficult times?

Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him. He saw beyond the suffering to the glory that would follow. As we follow the way of the cross, we too must fix our eyes on Jesus, enduring trials with the hope of the resurrection.

As we draw near to Good Friday and Easter, we are reminded that Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him—the redemption of His people and the glory of the Father. Lent is a season of preparation, not just for remembrance but for renewal. The way of the cross leads to resurrection, and we are invited to walk in this hope.

Additional Scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:11-12, Revelation 21:4

Prayer Focus:

• Reflect on the joy set before Christ and what it means for your life.
• Ask for perseverance to run the race of faith with endurance.
• Pray for a deeper appreciation of the cross as we approach Easter.

Reflection:

1. What sacrifices are you willing to make for the joy that Jesus has set before you?
2. How can you practically encourage others to fix their eyes on Jesus this week?

Over the past five weeks, we have journeyed through the way of the cross—learning what it means to take up our cross daily (Mark 8:34), embracing the wisdom of the cross that confounds the world (1 Corinthians 1:18), living as those made alive in Christ and united in His body (Ephesians 2:5), understanding the paradox of shame and victory at Calvary (Colossians 2:15), and fixing our eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).

The way of the cross is not merely a seasonal reflection for Lent; it is the pattern for our lives as followers of Christ. Galatians 2:20 reminds us, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” To walk the way of the cross means to daily surrender our will to His, to embrace suffering for His name, to live in the power of His resurrection, and to proclaim the victory of His love.

The Next Step: Living the Way of the Cross

Now that we have meditated on Christ’s journey to the cross, how will we respond?

Let us commit to:

1. Surrender Daily: Ask yourself, "What am I holding onto that Christ is calling me to lay down?" (Luke 9:23)
2. Embrace the Wisdom of the Cross: Choose faith in God's power even when the world calls it foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:25).
3. Live in Community: Strengthen the body of Christ through love, encouragement, and service (Acts 2:42-47).
4. Walk in Victory: Lay down your burdens at the foot of the cross and walk in the freedom Christ has won (Colossians 2:15).
5. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus: Keep your heart set on the eternal joy that awaits in His presence (Hebrews 12:2).

May this Lenten season be the beginning of a renewed commitment to walk the way of the cross—not in our strength, but in the power of Christ who lives in us!

Final Benediction:

"May the Lord bless you and keep you as you walk in His footsteps. May His grace sustain you, His love transform you, and His Spirit empower you. Go forth in the victory of the cross, proclaiming His hope, reflecting His love, and fixing your eyes on the joy set before you. In Jesus’ name, Amen."