A Resurrection—The Road to the Cross

Jesus’ Resurrection… it started with a cross. A cross led to His death. His death resulted in the greatest resurrection on earth! The risen Savior brought new life, new hope, new joy! Jesus paid the penalty of our sin on the cross, so that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness and eternal life.

The road to the cross was the only way for Jesus to deal with sin. The cross meant suffering and excruciating pain. The cross signified humiliation and shame. Jesus wanted to avoid it, yet He knew the road to the cross and nailing our sins on it led to our freedom. He went to Gethsemane and fell on His face and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me: yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus denied His will, and His obedience to God’s will resulted in victory over death and salvation for us.

Yes, Jesus’ resurrection stands as the greatest resurrection on earth. But many of us need resurrections in our lives today. Jesus allows us to experience them to overcome the power of sin in our circumstances. We too can experience the rewards of a resurrected life.

Maybe your marriage needs resurrecting or problems with a wayward child.  Maybe you need to remove old sinful ways or habits. Whatever the need, you must go down the road to the cross. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Usually, the cross is the last place you or I want to go, yet resurrections only occur after death. Meaning, it all starts with a cross. It may mean we will suffer, experience pain, endure humiliation and shame. We may not want to do it and try to avoid it. But the only way to experience a resurrection in our circumstances requires going through Gethsemane. 

Remember a cross leads to death—you must die to your will and your way when it conflicts with God’s Word. You and I must nail our fleshly desires to the cross to receive a resurrection and victory over our circumstances. Over two thousand years ago, the road to the cross was the only way to deal with sin. Today, it still remains the only way.

I don’t know about you, but I need a resurrection in my life from time to time. As hard as it is sometimes to deny myself and take up His cross, I am willing to do what’s required in order to experience victory.  I must remember that the cross leads to newness of life, not an endpoint. With this in mind, I know I will live the abundant life Jesus wants to give me.

 Why? Simply …