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
After he said these things, Jesus was deeply disturbed and testified, “I assure you, one of you will betray me.”
His disciples looked at each other, confused about which of them he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was at Jesus’ side. Simon Peter nodded at him to get him to ask Jesus who he was talking about. Leaning back toward Jesus, this disciple asked, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus answered, “It’s the one to whom I will give this piece of bread once I have dipped into the bowl.” Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son.
John 13:21-26
Think
There is a moment, immediately before we make a decision that causes hurt or that disappoints another, when we could have chosen a different path.
Instead of saying the hurtful thing, there was a moment when we could have chosen to say something kind, or maybe nothing at all.
Before we chose to take something that isn’t ours, there was a moment when we could have chosen to not take that action.
There was a moment when Judas had a decision to make. Should he betray Jesus? Or not? His decision made him a key player in a story of betrayal and death. While ultimately, we know that the story of Jesus ends in resurrection and glory, in his simple decision, Judas made himself the figurehead for all of the ways that humans have betrayed and been separated from God throughout time.
Even though you know the story of Jesus, and the miracle of resurrection, in what ways do you continue to resist, even to betray, the gift of God’s love?
Todd Buegler
Pray
Dear Jesus, you journey to the cross, and you call me to follow.
In those moments when I make decisions, let me see you clearly. Let me hear your voice and follow your example. I ask this so that my decisions can reflect the love and grace that you give to all of us.
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.
