Journey to the Cross: Day 4

When was the last time you reflected on a skinned knee? Or when was the last time a group of people discussed the significance of a black eye? People just don't do that (unless they work at a hospital). You have to be someone pretty special to have people talk about your physical wounds.

Ironically, the wounds of Jesus Christ that he receieved on the cross are still talked about today. Many Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches highlight five wounds of Jesus Christ, calling them "The Five Holy Wounds" or "The Five Sacred Wounds" of Christ. Visit Wikipedia's article on The Five Holy Wounds of Christ.

There is a notable difference between the wounds of Jesus Christ and our own. We associate our wounds - physical, emotional, spiritual - with sorrow and pain. Wounds like:

• Death of a loved one


• Humiliation


• Loss of income


• Broken friendships


• Illness

Those wounds are etched into our minds and hearts as very real reminders of sorrow and pain.

Jesus' pain is different.

Though his wounds were agony for him, it was for our joy. We can associate Jesus' pierced hands, pierced feet, and pierced side with our salvation. Our transgressions are forgiven because of his death.

"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Isaiah 53:4, 5

Journey to the Cross: Day 3

Did you know that temptation can affect how we worship? Even Jesus discovered that when he was led out into the wilderness for 40 days before his public ministry.

First, read Matthew 4:1-11. Second, click on the link below to view a blog with thoughts on that passage and temptation.

Wired: For a Life of Worship (Part 4) by Louie Giglio

Journey to the Cross: Day 2

Turn up your volume. Today we're reflecting on the "Journey to the Cross" theme verse, 1 Peter 2:24, which says, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live to righteousness."

First, listen to this 5 minute clip from a sermon of John Piper's, head pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Twin Cities Area of Minnesota. You can hear the whole sermon by clicking here. After that, listen to the song "In Christ Alone," performed by Adrienne Liesching and Geoff Moore.



1. What does John Piper say is the only hope for the people of his church?

2. If you believed that Jesus Christ bore your sins, how would your life be different? How would it affect how you viewd your past sin?

3. Are you a "night-guity" person or a "morning-guilty" person?

4. Is sin overpowering you right now? What do you need to tell God today?

Journey to the Cross: Day 1

Welcome to the first day of the journey.

Imagine this:

Waking up before dawn.
Getting dressed in the dark.
Grabbing your backpack.
Lacing up your hiking boots.
Stepping outside your front door.

You’re on a journey. To the cross.

Instead of your neighborhood before you,
You see mountains and wilderness.
Instead of a sidewalk,
A trail.

How will you find your way to the cross?

Just follow the footprints of Christ;
Look for the line in the dirt
That the cross made as Jesus drug it along.
Observe the blood from his scratched back and forehead
That has dotted the way.

You’re on a journey. To the cross.

1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”

Read that verse again

(no, I’m serious).

Now read it again.
And again.

TRY THIS
Take some time to step away from the computer to compose some thoughts. Rip a page out of a notebook and write a letter to God. Tell Him what you’re excited about in this journey until April 10th (Good Friday). Tell Him your doubts about it. Tell Him what you absolutely desire to happen. The journey to the cross is not a stroll through the park. It’s the road that Jesus took first, and He wants you to follow.

So write that letter to God as a prayer. Tell Him your thoughts. We'll see you right back here tomorrow.