Journey to the Cross
Station 13: Crossroads: What Will You Do with Jesus?
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must
deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24
You are at a crossroads.
Look over the Journey you have just taken through the final days of Jesus to
the cross and beyond. His was no accidental journey. Every step Jesus took was
purposeful, deliberate, by plan. Every moment of pain, betrayal, and agony was
borne by him out of love for you. You were—and still are—a part
of his journey.
What will you do with Jesus?
You can, in your heart, choose to hold on to your sin, bear the guilt yourself,
and take it with you as you leave this room. Or you can leave clinging to the
extravagant love and forgiveness of the one who died for you. You’ve already
nailed your sins to his cross. You can leave knowing that all is forgiven.
It’s your choice. You choose by asking his forgiveness and receiving
it.
You have experienced some of the emotions that Jesus, the Son of God, experienced
for you. You can leave here the same as you were coming in. Or you can leave
having chosen to pursue Jesus Christ, the God who pursued you all the way to
the cross.
It’s your choice. You choose by telling him that your life is his.
You experienced the agony of surrender and obedience that Jesus Christ experienced.
You can leave here still holding on to parts of your life, the parts you don’t
want to surrender. Or you can leave choosing to surrender everything to him.
It’s your choice. You choose by praying the prayer of Gethsemane: “Yet
not as I will, but as you will.”
What is Jesus saying to you tonight? If you’d like to, write your
response to him on the journal.