Qc Journey To The Cross

John 13:6-9 Eric Brei, DCE Peter speaks to Jesus and tells Him that he will never wash Peter’s feet. Jesus reminds Peter, in a spiritual context, that unless He washes Peter’s feet, Peter has no part with Him. Peter would later understand that Jesus was referring to His death on the cross and the shedding of His blood for the purification of the sins of all those who believe. We are sanctified each day by the cleansing of our sins through Jesus Christ.

John 13: 1-5 Eric Brei, DCE It was time for the Passover meal and it was the night before Jesus was to be tortured and put on the cross. Jesus gathered with His brothers the disciples to break bread together. Jesus knew that the hour was coming and demonstrated His unchanging love by putting a towel around His waist and washed each of the disciples’ feet. Jesus showed how humble He was as He taught the disciples as well as all His followers how much He loves us.

Luke 22:2-6 Tony Dixon, DCE When we refuse to let Christ be the one in control of our lives who are we letting take the wheel? Although Judas chose to give up Jesus to the religious leaders for 30 pieces of silver, this passage indicates who was truly scheming behind the scenes. In what ways might we let our guard down to the things that Satan uses to accomplish His work? Satan thought he had the upper hand by using Judas to betray Jesus, but it turns out that HE was the one playing into God’s master plan.

Matthew 26:14-16 Tony Dixon, DCE How often do we identify with Judas and we are willing to betray Christ, the one who loves us and died for us? Maybe it isn’t 30 pieces of silver that we require, but rather things like popularity, success, or material items. As broken people living in a broken world, our vision is often clouded, causing us to forsake certain truths that we know and focus on false hope that is found in other areas of life. Thankfully, despite our sin and failure Christ does not leave us but instead embraces us and says, “you are forgiven and loved, now follow me”.

Luke 19:35-40 Joy Uncontainable - Pastor Steve Henderson Something about the people on Palm Sunday was contagious! Even when we celebrate Palm Sunday, we wave our branches and say what we are supposed to say but are we overcome with the joy of the King? Only one group had no problem resisting the joy – the Pharisees. What if the people were quiet? Then even the stones would cry out.

Mark 11:7-11 The King & His Kingdom - Pastor Steve Henderson On Palm Sunday we see Jesus enter into Jerusalem as a triumphant king. His kingdom processes with him…and it is easy to see this as the high point of Lent-no blood, beatings, mocking, just praise. Yet for Jesus, and for we who worship Him, this is not His real kingdom. His kingdom is not of this world, it is an eternal kingdom (promised to David). His kingdom is coming (through the Word, through His grace, through His return).

Matthew 21:8-11 Fellowship - Pastor Steve Henderson We all have a need for other people. This is never more evident than when we see the God of Creation walking this earth. Throughout His days, he was surrounded by people (sometimes by choice and other times by interruption). Even when Jesus did “get away” He did so with His Father. As we attempt to be our own people, may we always remember that we need one another. We need fellowship (church). We need Christ (baptism)!

Matthew 21:6-7 Eric Brei, DCE By riding a humble donkey which was borrowed and the disciples giving up their cloaks to place on the donkey back; just a few of the ways that Jesus showed His meekness. He came to serve others not to be served. He had nothing other than what was given to him by friends and family. Not what we would imagine a King to be like. Where was His white steed, his royal robes, his gold and jeweled crown, his riches? His majesty? That is not what Jesus was about or wanted us to focus on either. Jesus meant for His public appearance to be in meekness rather than majesty in order that through His mercy salvation would be given to all who believe in His name.

Matthew 21: 4-5 Eric Brei, DCE The pre-knowledge that Jesus had to know that there would be a donkey in the village of Bethpage is only something Jesus (true man and true God) could have done. He did it to fulfill the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9, which foretells that the Messiah will come to us “riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”. He knew that the donkey was considered the humblest of animals and that only animals that had never been ridden before would be regarded as sacred. This is also the only instance that we find Jesus riding on any animal. He truly was and is the only Messiah.

Matthew 21:1-2 Eric Brei, DCE How do you prepare for things in your life? In today’s devotion we hear about how Jesus prepared for what was yet to come. Not only did He prepare himself but the world around Him! "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me."

John 12:8-10 Tony Dixon, DCE What an exciting event in the lives of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They had just been through an emotional roller coaster thanks to Jesus’ miraculous gift of new life given to Lazarus. Such an act of love would likely lead them to tell everyone that they knew about the love of Christ. Even though there is often opposition to sharing about the love and life that Christ offers, we can’t help but share the good news!

John 12:4-7 Tony Dixon, DCE It’s hard not to be concerned about everything going on in our lives. Our attention constantly shifts from one demand to the next, but in this conversation between Jesus and Judas, we see that it is very dangerous when we selfishly focus on our own desires more than how we can serve others around us and show them Christ’s love. Acts of true service are not self-seeking but about God’s desire: that all would know Him and His unending love.

John 12:1-3 Tony Dixon, DCE We come across a variety of smells (good and bad!) in our lives. It's amazing to think about the ways that God can use something as simple as our sense of smell to remind us the amazing ways that HE works in our lives. We can really stink up our lives when we fall into sin but thankfully there's hope. Jesus takes away the terrible smell of sin from his children and replaces it with the sweet smell of His love and a call to share that love with others.

We are so happy to have you here with us. Our Podcast over the next 6 weeks is a combined ministry effort of Trinity, Risen Christ, and Our Savior Lutheran Churches. Please visit our website for more information about the Journey To The Cross! http://qcpassion.weebly.com