Road to the Cross Discovery & Devotion

Day of discovery… “And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” Matthew 4:18-22

Follow me… All four follow Jesus everywhere He goes All four follow Jesus everywhere He goes

Follow me… All four follow Jesus everywhere He goes All four follow Jesus everywhere He goes For three years, they are His constant companions For three years, they are His constant companions

Follow me… All four follow Jesus everywhere He goes All four follow Jesus everywhere He goes For three years, they are His constant companions For three years, they are His constant companions They eat with Him, sleep near Him, witness the miracles He performs They eat with Him, sleep near Him, witness the miracles He performs

Follow me… All four follow Jesus everywhere He goes All four follow Jesus everywhere He goes For three years, they are His constant companions For three years, they are His constant companions They eat with Him, sleep near Him, witness the miracles He performs They eat with Him, sleep near Him, witness the miracles He performs They begin to understand who He is They begin to understand who He is

And then one day…

“The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Luke 9: 22-24

Pick up your cross…

Jesus tells them there will be a price for following Him Jesus tells them there will be a price for following Him

Pick up your cross… Jesus tells them there will be a price for following Him Jesus tells them there will be a price for following Him We give our lives up to Him We give our lives up to Him

Pick up your cross… Jesus tells them there will be a price for following Him Jesus tells them there will be a price for following Him We give our lives up to Him We give our lives up to Him We, too, will be on our own journey to sacrifice and surrender We, too, will be on our own journey to sacrifice and surrender Not for our own benefit, but for the cause of Christ Not for our own benefit, but for the cause of Christ

John, like Mary, loves Jesus

Peter would be the Rock Peter would be the Rock

John, like Mary, loves Jesus Peter would be the Rock Peter would be the Rock Paul would be the great communicator Paul would be the great communicator

John, like Mary, loves Jesus Peter would be the Rock Peter would be the Rock Paul would be the great communicator Paul would be the great communicator But John is the Disciple Jesus loves But John is the Disciple Jesus loves

John, like Mary, loves Jesus Peter would be the Rock Peter would be the Rock Paul would be the great communicator Paul would be the great communicator But John is the Disciple Jesus loves But John is the Disciple Jesus loves Maybe because of his youth, John believes Maybe because of his youth, John believes

John, like Mary, loves Jesus Peter would be the Rock Peter would be the Rock Paul would be the great communicator Paul would be the great communicator But John is the Disciple Jesus loves But John is the Disciple Jesus loves Maybe because of his youth, John believes Maybe because of his youth, John believes Maybe because of his enthusiasm, John believes Maybe because of his enthusiasm, John believes

John, like Mary, loves Jesus Peter would be the Rock Peter would be the Rock Paul would be the great communicator Paul would be the great communicator But John is the Disciple Jesus loves But John is the Disciple Jesus loves Maybe because of his youth, John believes Maybe because of his youth, John believes Maybe because of his enthusiasm, John believes Maybe because of his enthusiasm, John believes Maybe because he listened, John believes Maybe because he listened, John believes

John, like Mary, loves Jesus Peter would be the Rock Peter would be the Rock Paul would be the great communicator Paul would be the great communicator But John is the Disciple Jesus loves But John is the Disciple Jesus loves Maybe because of his youth, John believes Maybe because of his youth, John believes Maybe because of his enthusiasm, John believes Maybe because of his enthusiasm, John believes Maybe because he listened, John believes Maybe because he listened, John believes But because he believes, Jesus loves him But because he believes, Jesus loves him

John 13:21-25 Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and He exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”

Didn’t Jesus love all of them? Yes, He did Yes, He did

Didn’t Jesus love all of them? Yes, He did Yes, He did Perhaps the difference was that John realizes the depth of Jesus’ love for them Perhaps the difference was that John realizes the depth of Jesus’ love for them And John openly accepts it and cherishes it And John openly accepts it and cherishes it

Didn’t Jesus love all of them? Yes, He did Yes, He did Perhaps the difference was that John realizes the depth of Jesus’ love for them Perhaps the difference was that John realizes the depth of Jesus’ love for them And John openly accepts it and cherishes it And John openly accepts it and cherishes it Like Mary, John believes what Jesus says Like Mary, John believes what Jesus says

Didn’t Jesus love all of them? Yes, He did Yes, He did Perhaps the difference was that John realizes the depth of Jesus’ love for them Perhaps the difference was that John realizes the depth of Jesus’ love for them And John openly accepts it and cherishes it And John openly accepts it and cherishes it Like Mary, John believes what Jesus says Like Mary, John believes what Jesus says And like Mary, John would have a special opportunity to bless Jesus before His death And like Mary, John would have a special opportunity to bless Jesus before His death Jesus would give him the responsibility of caring for His mother Jesus would give him the responsibility of caring for His mother

In the matter of a few hours… Jesus would leave the upper room Jesus would leave the upper room

In the matter of a few hours… Jesus would leave the upper room Jesus would leave the upper room He would go to the Garden He would go to the Garden

In the matter of a few hours… Jesus would leave the upper room Jesus would leave the upper room He would go to the Garden He would go to the Garden He would be arrested He would be arrested

In the matter of a few hours… Jesus would leave the upper room Jesus would leave the upper room He would go to the Garden He would go to the Garden He would be arrested He would be arrested He would be falsely charged by Caiaphas He would be falsely charged by Caiaphas

In the matter of a few hours… Jesus would leave the upper room Jesus would leave the upper room He would go to the Garden He would go to the Garden He would be arrested He would be arrested He would be falsely charged by Caiaphas He would be falsely charged by Caiaphas He would appear before Pontius Pilate He would appear before Pontius Pilate

In the matter of a few hours… Jesus would leave the upper room Jesus would leave the upper room He would go to the Garden He would go to the Garden He would be arrested He would be arrested He would be falsely charged by Caiaphas He would be falsely charged by Caiaphas He would appear before Pontius Pilate He would appear before Pontius Pilate He would be beaten and scourged He would be beaten and scourged

In the matter of a few hours… Jesus would leave the upper room Jesus would leave the upper room He would go to the Garden He would go to the Garden He would be arrested He would be arrested He would be falsely charged by Caiaphas He would be falsely charged by Caiaphas He would appear before Pontius Pilate He would appear before Pontius Pilate He would be beaten and scourged He would be beaten and scourged And He would head to a hill called Golgotha And He would head to a hill called Golgotha

Mark 15: “Then they led him away to be crucified. A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull.”)

What would it be like? To encounter Jesus on the way to the cross To encounter Jesus on the way to the cross

What would it be like? To encounter Jesus on the way to the cross To encounter Jesus on the way to the cross To see the looks on the faces of those who love Him To see the looks on the faces of those who love Him Mary, His mother Mary, His mother Mary of Bethany Mary of Bethany John John

What would it be like? To encounter Jesus on the way to the cross To encounter Jesus on the way to the cross To see the looks on the faces of those who love Him To see the looks on the faces of those who love Him Mary, His mother Mary, His mother Mary of Bethany Mary of Bethany John John To have your day so horribly interrupted… To have your day so horribly interrupted…

But to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross… To come face to face with His innocence To come face to face with His innocence

But to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross… To come face to face with His innocence To come face to face with His innocence To witness His compassion and forgiveness To witness His compassion and forgiveness

But to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross… To come face to face with His innocence To come face to face with His innocence To witness His compassion and forgiveness To witness His compassion and forgiveness To be forced to carry a Cross for the One who is going to the Cross for you To be forced to carry a Cross for the One who is going to the Cross for you

And they reach Golgotha Jesus fulfills what He must do Jesus fulfills what He must do

And they reach Golgotha Jesus fulfills what He must do Jesus fulfills what He must do John discovers what he will do John discovers what he will do

And they reach Golgotha Jesus fulfills what He must do Jesus fulfills what He must do John discovers what he will do John discovers what he will do And Simon must choose what he will do And Simon must choose what he will do Just like each of us when we come face to face with the reality of what Jesus does on the Cross Just like each of us when we come face to face with the reality of what Jesus does on the Cross

Jesus’ trust in John results in… Mary is cared for Mary is cared for

Jesus’ trust in John results in… Mary is cared for Mary is cared for Jesus’ siblings become believers Jesus’ siblings become believers

Jesus’ trust in John results in… Mary is cared for Mary is cared for Jesus’ siblings become believers Jesus’ siblings become believers John writes one of the Gospels John writes one of the Gospels

Jesus’ trust in John results in… Mary is cared for Mary is cared for Jesus’ siblings become believers Jesus’ siblings become believers John writes one of the Gospels John writes one of the Gospels John writes 1, 2, 3 John John writes 1, 2, 3 John

Jesus’ trust in John results in… Mary is cared for Mary is cared for Jesus’ siblings become believers Jesus’ siblings become believers John writes one of the Gospels John writes one of the Gospels John writes 1, 2, 3 John John writes 1, 2, 3 John John receives and writes the Revelation John receives and writes the Revelation

Jesus’ trust in John results in… Mary is cared for Mary is cared for Jesus’ siblings become believers Jesus’ siblings become believers John writes one of the Gospels John writes one of the Gospels John writes 1, 2, 3 John John writes 1, 2, 3 John John receives and writes the Revelation John receives and writes the Revelation Recognizing how much you are loved by Jesus creates opportunities and abilities to accomplish incredible things Recognizing how much you are loved by Jesus creates opportunities and abilities to accomplish incredible things

Simon’s encounter with Jesus results in… Incredible impact on his life Incredible impact on his life

Simon’s encounter with Jesus results in… Incredible impact on his life Incredible impact on his life Incredible impact on his family Incredible impact on his family

Simon’s encounter with Jesus results in… Incredible impact on his life Incredible impact on his life Incredible impact on his family Incredible impact on his family Simon’s son is mentioned later in the Book of Acts as someone who is a disciple of influence Simon’s son is mentioned later in the Book of Acts as someone who is a disciple of influence

So what do we do with this? What do we do with the Cross of Christ? What do we do with the Cross of Christ?

So what do we do with this? What do we do with the Cross of Christ? What do we do with the Cross of Christ? What do we do with knowing we are asked to carry our own cross? What do we do with knowing we are asked to carry our own cross?

So what do we do with this? What do we do with the Cross of Christ? What do we do with the Cross of Christ? What do we do with knowing we are asked to carry our own cross? What do we do with knowing we are asked to carry our own cross? How does coming to terms with John’s devotion and Simon’s discovery impact us? How does coming to terms with John’s devotion and Simon’s discovery impact us?

We find and share hope… Recognizing how much you are loved by Jesus creates opportunities and abilities to accomplish incredible things Recognizing how much you are loved by Jesus creates opportunities and abilities to accomplish incredible things

We find and share hope… Recognizing how much you are loved by Jesus creates opportunities and abilities to accomplish incredible things Recognizing how much you are loved by Jesus creates opportunities and abilities to accomplish incredible things Seeing Jesus at the cross impacts not only our lives, but the lives of our families Seeing Jesus at the cross impacts not only our lives, but the lives of our families

We find and share hope… Recognizing how much you are loved by Jesus creates opportunities and abilities to accomplish incredible things Recognizing how much you are loved by Jesus creates opportunities and abilities to accomplish incredible things Seeing Jesus at the cross impacts not only our lives, but the lives of our families Seeing Jesus at the cross impacts not only our lives, but the lives of our families But we also must have a passion for and compassion with those who simply are going about their day and need to meet Jesus as He is heading to the Cross But we also must have a passion for and compassion with those who simply are going about their day and need to meet Jesus as He is heading to the Cross

We find and share hope… Ask God to show you Simon this week Ask God to show you Simon this week

We find and share hope… Ask God to show you Simon this week Ask God to show you Simon this week Ask Him to show you who needs to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross Ask Him to show you who needs to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross

We find and share hope… Ask God to show you Simon this week Ask God to show you Simon this week Ask Him to show you who needs to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross Ask Him to show you who needs to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross Ask Him who needs to see the Crucifixion and understand what it means to them Ask Him who needs to see the Crucifixion and understand what it means to them

We find and share hope… Ask God to show you Simon this week Ask God to show you Simon this week Ask Him to show you who needs to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross Ask Him to show you who needs to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross Ask Him who needs to see the Crucifixion and understand what it means to them Ask Him who needs to see the Crucifixion and understand what it means to them Believe, like John did, that if Jesus asks you to do something, He will help you do it Believe, like John did, that if Jesus asks you to do something, He will help you do it

We find and share hope… Ask God to show you Simon this week Ask God to show you Simon this week Ask Him to show you who needs to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross Ask Him to show you who needs to meet the Savior on the way to the Cross Ask Him who needs to see the Crucifixion and understand what it means to them Ask Him who needs to see the Crucifixion and understand what it means to them Believe, like John did, that if Jesus asks you to do something, He will help you do it Believe, like John did, that if Jesus asks you to do something, He will help you do it Anticipate mighty and miraculous things Anticipate mighty and miraculous things