Have you ever traced Jesus’ final steps in Scripture toward the crucifixion? Come along with us as we explore where Jesus prayed alone, was betrayed and arrested, tried and condemned, mocked, and carried His cross with Simon’s help. Let these moments in the Bible help you experience our Savior’s journey to save us.
Receive
Early Christian pilgrims once walked the path Jesus took to the cross, stopping at “stations” to remember His suffering and love. In “Cross Stations,” we slow down with Scripture and reflect on those moments together. In part one, follow Jesus from Gethsemane through His trial to the moment He carried His cross—and take time to consider how His sacrifice speaks into your own faith and life today.
Reflect
* Have you ever practiced the “Stations of the Cross”? If so, what was your experience? How do you respond now to this concept?
* The first cross station we identify is Jesus praying alone in the garden. Read Luke 22:39–46 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2022%3A39%E2%80%9346&version=NIV ). Notice the setting and Jesus’ experience, and then think about how His prayer struggle has impacted the intimacy you now possess with God.
* Read Matthew 26:57–75 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2026%3A57%E2%80%9375&version=NIV ) and 27:11–26 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027%3A11%E2%80%9326&version=NIV ). Where is Jesus in this cross station? What does He experience? How does His endurance affect you today?
* Consider the torture Jesus endured as you read Matthew 27:27–31 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027%3A27%E2%80%9331&version=NIV ). Can you stand with Him at this cross station and receive what He has done for you?
* Jesus carried His own cross until Simon of Cyrene was enlisted to help Him in John 19:17 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019%3A17&version=NIV ), Matthew 27:32–33 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027%3A32%E2%80%9333&version=NIV ), and Luke 23:26 ( https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023%3A26&version=NIV ). How would you have responded if you were asked to help Jesus?
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Dear Lord, You have shown us through Scripture that even small faith can be used for Your glory. Reveal to me where my faith is lacking,and help me to surrender my disbelief to Your perfect plan. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources
Listen:
* It Is Finished ( https://discovertheword.org/series/it-is-finished-2025/ ) – https://go.odb.org/it-is-finished-dtw ( https://go.odb.org/it-is-finished-dtw )
* Life After Easter ( https://discovertheword.org/series/life-after-easter-2025/ ) – https://go.odb.org/life-after-easter-dtw ( https://go.odb.org/life-after-easter-dtw )
* Forgiveness, the Story of Easter ( https://discovertheword.org/series/forgiveness-the-story-of-easter/ ) – https://go.odb.org/forgiveness-the-story-of-easter-dtw ( https://go.odb.org/forgiveness-the-story-of-easter-dtw )
Read:
* The Perfect Savior ( https://ourdailybreadpublishing.org/the-perfect-savior.html ) – https://go.odb.org/the-perfect-savior-dtw ( https://go.odb.org/the-perfect-savior-dtw )
* A Rumor of Hope | The Good News of Easter ( https://www.odbm.org/en/discovery-series/a-rumor-of-hope-the-good-news-of-easter/introduction ) – https://go.odb.org/a-rumor-of-hope-the-good-news-of-easter ( https://go.odb.org/a-rumor-of-hope-the-good-news-of-easter )
* 40 Days. 40 Words. ( https://ourdailybreadpublishing.org/40-days-40-words.html ) – https://go.odb.org/40-days-40-words-dtw ( https://go.odb.org/40-days-40-words-dtw )
* Messiah’s Last Words Reading Plan ( https://www.odbm.org/en/reading-plans/messiahs-last-words-easter-reflections/grace-to-forgive )
Watch:
* Walk in Jesus’ footsteps with The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories (Season 4) ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_JhrDUQsik&list=PLPOUA7GLxXIHLVKrvEkH-EFCeDbL7y-PD&index=10 )
Discover the Word Podcast
Episode 256
March 22, 2026
★ Episode details: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1d537bc3
★ Additional episodes: https://discovertheword.org/