The cross looms large in the thoughts of Jesus. The time has come. The next few hours, the next few days, will be full of rejection, pain, and death. Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Amid the olive trees, He seeks the comfort that only God can provide. He draws strength from being in the presence of His Father in prayer. Jesus prays that the will of God will take center stage. It is a difficult prayer to pray. Allowing God to be in charge means giving up self. For Jesus, in this moment, giving Himself means giving up His life on the cross.
As the crowds approach and the disciples flee, Jesus boldly steps up to make a sacrifice. A sacrifice to restore those far away. A sacrifice to offer forgiveness to those in rebellion. A sacrifice that forges a path for man to walk with God. The cross stands in His future, and He goes willingly…for you and me.
The cross still stands. It still calls. Each day we make a decision to follow way of the cross. Each day we decide to live a life of sacrifice. Each day the cross forgives, restores, and shapes our lives. Embedding the Bible means listening to the call to sacrifice self and live with Jesus.
1. In what ways do you need to give up your life in order to walk more closely with God?
2. How does the example of Jesus give you strength to face the cross?
| Date | Reading |
| March 19 | Mark 14:53-72 |
| March 20 | Mark 15:1-20 |
| March 21 | Mark 15:21-47 |
| March 22 | Mark 16 |
| March 23 | Luke 1:1-25 |
| March 24 | Luke 1:26-38 |
| March 25 | Luke 1:39-56 |
| March 26 | Luke 1:57-80 |