Jesus’ journey to the cross was filled with meaning and purpose. His suffering was more than merely tasting death. He experienced heartbreak, defeat, ridicule, physical pain, loneliness, anguish, and so much more.
We see that he took on the cares and suffering that are common in this world so he could better know and love us. As we study the scripture and reflect on the moments that led to Jesus's death, we grow a better appreciation for the grace that Jesus embodies for every person, both living on Earth and those who are alive again in Heaven.
Let’s pause to reflect and consider the sober moments that led to Jesus giving up his life for us on the cross.
1. Jesus’ Friend Betrays Him
Judas, one of Jesus' disciples and friends, made the move that directly led to Jesus’ death. It’s hard to imagine how this man who walked with the Son of Man had a heart so hard that he betrayed him in exchange for money. He gave up eternity in Heaven for the momentary promise of pleasure that money offers, which he never could even realize!
While Jesus knew that Judas was the one who sought out chief priests and guards to betray him, he still offered him a place at the communion table (Luke 22:4). By identifying his betrayer, he was showing him such grace. It was one last moment for Judas to repent. Jesus shares at the last supper that he will be betrayed, allowing Judas to make a change and warning him of the fate that awaited him willing to betray the Son of God (Luke 22: 21-22).
In this tense, meaningful, and sober exchange, we see that Jesus was reminding his disciples once again that the Kingdom of Heaven is real and that it operates nothing like what they imagined.
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2. Christ Pleads with His Father
We see Christ’s internal struggle illuminated in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before he was crucified. He gathers during the night hours with his disciples alongside him. He asks them to stay alert, for he is in anguish, wrestling with the weight of what he knew was to come. Luke 22:42 Jesus prays,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
And then Jesus continued to pray so earnestly that sweat filled with blood pooled on his brow. Hebrews 5:7 describes the scene as follows: “He offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue Him from death.”
We see humanity in Christ’s response to the heavy burden he was called to embrace willingly. Just as we often plead for our God to remove the burden of suffering and sacrifice that each of us encounters in this broken world, ultimately, we know that we must remain surrendered to God’s will no matter the cost.
In this intimate moment of suffering, we see that Jesus and his closest followers struggled, just as we do. The men he set on guard succumbed to exhaustion, and rather than staying vigilant, they fell asleep. We see the Father’s faithfulness as he sends angels to minister to Jesus (v.43). He is with us even when we feel utterly alone or abandoned by other people.
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3. Jesus Is Arrested
Not long after Jesus emerges from his night of fretful prayer, Judas finds him and is accompanied by a crowd ready to arrest Jesus. With such evil in his heart, Judas offers the Son of God a kiss as he arrives to betray him. Jesus is taken aback by his audacity and asks, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 4:47-53).
The other disciples realize the danger they are in, and one takes out a sword and cuts off the ear of the High Priest! Jesus, who has already surrendered to his fate, calms the chaos. He tells his followers to stand down and heals the wounded ear. He agrees to his arrest, reminding them that he has always been peaceful throughout his ministry, never inciting violence or resorting to force.
4. Peter Denies His Master
Jesus is led away, and his disciples begin to fear. They knew that whatever happened to Jesus could also happen to them, and their faith was still weak. They had not yet understood God's full power and plan for his Son.
Luke 4: 54-60 tells us that Peter denies knowing Jesus on three occasions. A servant girl identifies Peter as a follower of Jesus, and he immediately denies it. A little later, a woman says he was one of Jesus’ disciples, and he declares her to be wrong. Finally, another asserts that Peter must have known Jesus, and he tells him no.
As soon as the rooster crows, Peter is reminded that Jesus foretold Peter’s betrayal. Rather than continuing to distance himself from his leader, he stops and weeps bitterly, seeing his sin. In this quiet moment of grief, Peter repents, and later, Jesus meets him again to establish Peter as the rock of his soon-to-emerge church.
We see two moments of men who followed Jesus betraying him with two different outcomes. Judas died a terrible death, separated from God because he never repented for his sin. Peter became the rock of God’s church because his heart was grieved by his sin and turned back to God through repentance.
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5. Jesus Is Mocked and Faces an Unjust System
Jesus then faces his accusers and the ridicule that this world loves to give out. The guards mock, beat, and taunt him (Luke 4:63-65). What humility this God-Man displays as he takes their blows, all knowing he is their very source of life!
Then, he appeared before Pilate. Pilate himself declared Jesus to be innocent, but the crowd desired his blood. He handed Jesus over to Herod, who was intrigued by him. He asked Jesus many questions and continued to mock him, but found no grounds to hold him, so he released Jesus back to Pilate.
Pilate addresses the Chief Priests, rulers, and the people. All who should have been eagerly awaiting the Messiah and asked them to determine Jesus’ fate. The cry out for Jesus to be killed and the criminal to be set free (Luke 23:1-23).
What a betrayal of the King of Kings! His innocence is proved, but his people demand his unjust death. The weight of this sin, this display of our evil nature, is sobering. We must always be on guard against the cries of the crowd. Broad is the road that leads to death; only the narrow way leads to Heaven (Matthew 7:14-15).
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6. Jesus on the Cross
Jesus is made to carry his cross up to its perch at the top of Skull, a mount where criminals were killed (Luke 23:26-43). After this treacherous journey to the place of his crucifixion, his clothes are taken and divided up. By such unimaginable grace, as he sees their mockery and endures the pain of being nailed to the cross alongside two criminals, he asks for God to forgive them.
This may be the most somber moment of Jesus's journey. He sees such evil that he experiences intense injustice, accepts their ridicule, and feels physical agony. As he nears his end, he offers forgiveness and petitions his Father for his grace to be displayed towards those who betrayed him! God is so very good to us.
7. The Death of Jesus
Then, the journey's end for Jesus as a Man comes, and the Earth grows dark despite being only midday. The sun stopped shining, and the curtain of the temple tears in two as the Earth shakes. Jesus cries out to willingly release his Spirit to his Father. Death comes for the Son of God (Luke 23:44-49).
As Jesus completes his mission to live and then die for us, his love defines him to the bitter end. With humanity's absolute worst evil on display, his grace abounds. All we can do is humbly give thanks for all he endured so we might have hope of life beyond the grave!
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Originally published Monday, 07 April 2025.