April 10, 2025: The Way of the Cross

“Then taking the Twelve aside he said to them, ‘Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of man is to come true. For he will be handed over to the gentiles and will be mocked, maltreated and spat on, and when they have scourged him they will put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again.’ But they could make nothing of this; what he said was quite obscure to them, they did not understand what he was telling them.” (Luke 18:31–34, NJB)

Jesus turned toward Jerusalem!

If you were alongside Jesus, what would you have advised Him to do? Like Peter, rebuke Him for speaking the truth about what was ahead? Try to advise Him a safe alternative? Remain quiet because you have no clue?

Jesus knew that this was the way of the cross. He longed to accomplish His mission. Jesus acted knowing precisely the contours of the week ahead. Here, He said:

32 [The Son] will be handed over to the gentiles and will be mocked, maltreated and spat on,

“…Then, taking him aside, Peter started to rebuke him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord,’ he said, ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do.’” (Matthew 16:22–23, NJB)

His disciples found Jesus’ prediction of the Passion incredulous. Even more so when they witnessed the crowds joyous reception on “Palm Sunday.” Surely, they thought, He is coming to throw both Herod and Rome out of Jerusalem and become king of all ancient Israel. He came to win the victory but not in the way His disciples had believed. The battle was not fought with vast armies on a traditional battlefield but by Jesus, utterly alone, on a rugged cross.

It was God's love that took him down the Via Dolorosa. From before He began the journey, He knew that that cross lay ahead. It was not to be avoided but to be embraced. It was God’s love for that love held Jesus to the cross, though He could have called down an army of angels.

“Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, who would promptly send more than twelve legions of angels to my defence? But then, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this is the way it must be?’” (Matthew 26:53–54, NJB)

God loved us so much that He willingly took upon Himself the mocking, illegal trials, scourging, and crucifixion. Our faith response to that love is to receive it as pure grace and recognize that in His love, we find our home. In His love we find life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ” (John 3:16, NIV84)