Journey to the Cross Week Two

Journey to the Cross: Week Two

2/9/2021

This Week's Scripture:
John 16:16-33

Join us as we Journey to the Cross, a nine-week study designed to prepare our hearts for Easter.

This study comes to us from The Daily Grace Company. Originally designed to be an eight-day study, we’re going to stretch it out over nine weeks and meditate on Scripture as we enter the season of Easter. I hope you’ll join us!

Last week we looked at Symptoms of Spiritual Blindness. This week we will look at what it means to Overcome. In the coming weeks, we'll study topics like Sifted Like Wheat, The High Priestly Prayer, Failure That Leads to Victory, Good Friday, Sunday is Coming! He is Risen, and finally Follow Me.

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Overcome

The time for Jesus to die was quickly approaching. In the days that led up to the crucifixion, Jesus would pour Himself into preparing the disciples for His departure and teaching them what they needed to know for life after His death. The disciples were confused and even talked among themselves about what Jesus meant by all of this. They were likely still trying to reconcile in their minds how they thought the Messiah would be a conquering king, and yet Jesus came as a humble servant. There will be a day that our Savior returns as the conquering King. But in this first advent, He came not to conquer the powers of Rome but to conquer our hearts.

The words He spoke to the disciples encouraged them before His death, and they would have clung to them after His death. When persecution and suffering for the sake of this precious Gospel would come, they would hold on to the moments they had with the Savior. They knew not just in their minds but from experience that Jesus was the One who changed everything. The words bring comfort and hope to us as well.

Jesus told them that they would weep and be sorrowful but that their sorrow would turn to joy. I can't imagine the grief that must have come over the disciples as they watched their dear friend and Savior be crucified before their eyes. The pain and grief must have been unimaginable. Perhaps after all His explanation, it just still didn't make sense to their finite minds. And yet, what joy would come when they would realize that this very thing that was bringing so much sorrow was the event that would change the whole world. The death of Jesus would provide the way of redemption! Hope and joy for the entire world would come after the greatest sacrifice was made.

Our God's character has not changed, and we can be assured that He redeems everything. He can take the moments of deepest pain and use them for our joy and for His glory.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

We can trust that He will turn our sorrows to joy and our mourning to dancing.

"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing Your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever!" Psalm 30:11-12

Even though He has explained in His Word that He will work all things for our good, our finite hearts grow weary and we wonder how this is all going to work out. Like the disciples before us, we may not always understand His way, but we can always trust that it is the best way. And when we face suffering and difficulty, we can be reminded of His words. We can take heart because He has overcome!

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Because you know that God works all things together for good—for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), and that He promises to turn your mourning into dancing and clothe you with gladness so that you will sing His praise (Psalm 30:11-12), how does this help you overcome the challenges of life?

16 Comments

Barbara Harper link

2/9/2021 09:51:59 am

It does help to remember that things look different from God's viewpoint, that He has a plan that we can't see.

Patsy Burnette link

2/9/2021 05:39:08 pm

Yes, Barbara, I have to keep reminding myself of that fact quite often. But isn't it grand to know it, believe it, and have faith is His ability to carry it out!?!

Calvonia link

2/9/2021 12:16:54 pm

"this very thing that was bringing so much sorrow was the event that would change the whole world." Praise God! He suffered in our place that we might live eternally.

2/9/2021 05:41:15 pm

And it did, Calvonia. It changed EVERYTHING! The pivotal point in history. It's sandwiched right there in between "it is good" and "it is done." IT IS FINISHED!

Theresa Boedeker link

2/9/2021 01:09:30 pm

Knowing that God is working all things to our ultimate good and the good of others, even the painful and hard, keeps hope in my heart. I wish I could have been there to hear some of the conversations Jesus and the disciples had on their first meetings. Confusion turning to knowing and understanding. The ahh moment must have been profound.

2/9/2021 05:42:33 pm

It's what keeps hope alive for all of us, Theresa! I LOVE THAT —> "Confusion turning to knowing and understanding. The ahh moment must have been profound." It must have been!

Donna link

2/9/2021 03:07:41 pm

Enjoyed the encouragement and hope especially in trials this post provided. Sometimes it's the hard places that end up bringing the most joy!

2/9/2021 05:43:50 pm

So true, Donna. I have found that to be true in my own life and it sounds as if you have as well.

Susan Shipe link

2/9/2021 04:26:59 pm

It's so easy to say what we would do because we know the whole story now - I oft wonder how I would have reacted knowing nothing like the disciples.

2/9/2021 05:46:42 pm

Isn't that the truth, Susan!? We can look back and know the whole story. But just as those in Old Testament times were looking for Messiah and the disciples were looking for a Savoir, we look to eternity, not fully understanding. But someday our eyes will be open, and we will know the whole story. Glorious day!

Michele Morin link

2/10/2021 05:38:50 am

Sadly, even today, Jesus often shows up in ways that we're not looking for, and rather than falling on our faces in awe, we doubt.

2/10/2021 08:22:07 am

So true, Michele. Well said/written.

Rebecca Hastings link

2/10/2021 09:40:23 am

I am reminded that even my hard times can lead me to God. This morning it's a age typical battle with my teen, yesterday it was a (kind) rejection letter. Whatever it is, I have a choice to go to Jesus and ask Him for the faith I don't have or go my own way.

2/10/2021 09:43:47 am

For sure, Rebecca! Difficult times have led me in a closer walk with God far greater than any other times of my life. I'm so glad we can bold come to the throne of GRACE and say, "Help my unbelief."

Lauren Renee Sparks link

2/10/2021 05:24:24 pm

Thank you for helping us turn our attention to Jesus.

2/11/2021 06:47:12 am

I'm so excited about this study, Lauren, and how it leads us right up to Easter! :) Thanks for joining us.

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