Journey to the Cross 
Pause
Without warning I felt a hand grip my heart. It was abrupt and startling. …
The love of Christ, the crucified Son of God, took on the wild fury of a sudden spring storm. Like a dam bursting, a spasm of convulsive crying erupted from the depths of my soul.
Jesus died on the cross for me.
Brennan Manning in Dear Abba: Morning and Evening Prayer (2014)
Listen
Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Human One to be glorified. I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever. Whoever serves me must follow me. Wherever I am, there my servant will also be. My Father will honor whoever serves me.”
John 12:23-26
Think
Across the northeastern states, you can find the “Jack Pine” tree. This tree grows quickly and tall. Its seed cones are covered with a thick, waxy substance, and the tree’s seeds are trapped inside. Until there is a fire. It is only under intense heat (over 122 degrees Fahrenheit) that the wax melts, and the seeds drop to the ground.
The tree only releases new seeds when there is a fire.
For the Jack Pine, the only way there can be new birth is when the parent tree is burned in a fire.
Jesus tells his followers that: “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit.” Jesus is talking about what is to come. It is only through his death that the gifts of new life and resurrection for all of God’s people can be received.
What are ways that you see new life and resurrection happening around you? What are the things we need to set aside, or to “let die” in order for our life of faith to grow?
Todd Buegler
Pray
Dear Jesus, you journey to the cross, and you call me to follow.
Remind me to set aside those things that distract me from your path. Help me to let go of ego, self-centeredness, my resistance to compassion and my willingness to let harm be done to others. Out of these things being set aside, let me experience the gift of new life.
Lead me, Lord Jesus, to the cross that brings death, and to the cross that brings resurrection.
In your holy name I pray, amen.
Go
May God bless your steps as you make your way on difficult paths.
May God bless your steps as you navigate fear, guilt, and shame.
May God bless your steps as you seek new ways to follow Jesus.
May God bless your steps as you accompany the broken and those on the margins.
May God bless your steps as you experience new ways of bearing hope to a world in need.
May God bless your steps as you journey to the cross.
