The Road to the Cross

Heavenly Father, I come to you in Jesus name, asking that you help each one of us to understand what you trying to show us in the spirit. I pray that those that may read this will come to a greater understanding and enlightenment of your word. God, I thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ for us that through Him, we might be saved. Jesus, thank you for paying the price of our salvation, that though you we are redeemed back to our father in heaven. Help us to understand the road to the cross. Let us not take this lightly, but with sincere heart and appreciation for you. Lord I pray for those that read this lesson that may not know you as their personal Lord and Savior, that somehow through this lesson, they will see you . I pray that the lost will come in for we are running out of time. Satan even recognizes it, but sometimes we seem to go on about our daily lives forgetting you. I ask forgiveness for us not reaching the lost like we should. I ask forgiveness for our slack. Help us from this day forward to do what it takes to win the lost for you. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Mark 11:1-11  "And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strowed them in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. 11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve."

Notice in verses 8-10 how the people are treating Jesus. The are praising him and lifting him up.

Over the next couple of days, Jesus went to the temple to cleanse it from the money changers, and Jesus continued to preach to the people. 
 

Matthew 26:1-5  "And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him. 5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people."
Note from the full life study bible on verse 26:2 " Passover: The passover (GK. pascha) was a spring festival associated with the historical episode of Isreal's departure from Egypt. It celebrated the  "passing over" of the Hebrews' houses by the death angel because of the blood of the lamb which had been put upon the doorpost and frames of the houses. Christ's Crucifixion occured on the day of the "preparation of the passover" (John 19:14) He is "Our passover... Sacraficed for us." ( 1 Cor. 5:7)

Matthew 26:4-16  "And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him. 5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. 6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. 14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him."

Mark 14:12-21  "And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? 13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? 20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. 21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born."
 
 

Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt? Here He sat amongst his 12 disciples-- all of whom he loved very much. He taught them God's word, preached amongst them, spent countless hours of sharing and being their friend. Now as Jesus knows He is about to be crucified, when He needs his friends the most, Judas betrays him. Judas sold Jesus our for 30 Pieces of Silver. YET, Jesus did not hate him, He just said in verse 21: The some of man indeed goeth as it is written of him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. 
And the Lord goes on to break bread with him. 

Mark 14:22-25  "And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

John 13:4-15  "He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

This is why many christians participate in a special "foot-washing, and communion on the Thursday before Easter.

There are 2 separate  passages that I would like us to look at.

First, lets turn to Mark 14:32-42  "And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand."

Notice in verse 32, Jesus said to his disciples "Sit ye here, while I shall pray." Then Jesus went and prayed with a heavy heart for this to pass, -- yet, He knew the will of God was for him to go to the cross. Notice verse 37. " And he cometh and findeth them sleeping and saith to Peter, Simon, sleepest thouh? Couldest no thou watch one hour? vs 38- watch ye and pray, let ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." This was the first time that he asked the disciples to watch. Then Jesus went to pray a second time.- notice verse 40 "And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."

How many times has God asked you to do something and either you dont obey Him, or you do the opposite by running? Notice verse 38 again " Watch ye and pray lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready but the flesh is weak."

Now lets go to Luke 22:39-46  "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."

Jesus prayed in verse 42 " Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine be done. " Jesus knew what He was about to face - death on the cross for our sins. He had already suffered so much persecution from the religious folds-- but He knew there was more that lay ahead. Notice verse 43 " And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Jesus prayed with all that he had-- not just a 5 minute prayer, but travailing earnestly for strength to do God's will. 

Matthew 27:11-19  "And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him."

Do you remember over in Mark 11:9-10 where the people said to Jesus -- " Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest." Notice, how the same people that just praised Jesus changed their minds. 
 

Matthew 27:20-23  "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified." They let the chief priest and elders change their minds and what as in their hearts in a matter of minutes. --They cried loudly that they wanted Jesus crucified. Not just once but twice. 

Are we doing that today? Do we praise the Lord with all our heart and soul when we are among other Christians??? Then when we get around sinners deny Christ? Matthew 27:24-26  "When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified."

Note from the full life study bible on verse 26: Scourged Jesus: The suffering of Christ, stage 4. [1] The Roman scourge consited of the victim being stropped and stretched against a pillar or bent over a low post, his hands being tied. The instrument of torture was a short wooden handle to which several leather thongs were attached, with bits of iron or bone tied to the thongs. The blows were laid on the victim's back by two men, one lashing the victim from one side, one from the other side. This resulted in the flesch being cut to such an extent that veins, arteries, sometimes even inner organs were exposed. Often the victim died during the flogging. [2] Scourging was hideous torture. The inaility of Jesus to bear His own cross is no doubt due to this severe inflicktion (vs32, Luke 23:26) "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with  his strilpes we are healed" {Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24}
 

Matthew 27:27-31  "Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. 31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him."

Matthew 27:32-43  "And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. 33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36 And sitting down they watched him there; 37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God."
 

     This is what I would like to leave with you today, A reminder of what Jesus Christ went through to pray the price of Salvation for you and I to be set free from the bondage of sin and to be reconciled with God.