5 Day Devotionals
Journey to the Cross – Week 10
Day 1: Blessed Before You’re Sent
Scripture: Luke 24:50-51
“Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.”
Reflection:
Picture this moment: Jesus, bearing the scars of crucifixion in His hands, lifts them over His disciples—not in rebuke, not in instruction, but in blessing. This is the last visible image they have of Him before the ascension, and it changes everything.
You see, Jesus doesn’t send us into the world alone or under pressure. He sends us covered in His blessing. Those scarred hands that were raised over the disciples are the same hands that intercede for you today. Hebrews tells us that Jesus lives to intercede for us continually—which means His blessing over your life isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing reality.
Before you face today’s challenges, before you step into uncertainty, before you wonder if you have what it takes—remember this: You are blessed. Not because of what you’ve accomplished, but because of who He is. The mission ahead of you isn’t fueled by pressure to perform; it’s grounded in the grace and love of a Savior who blesses you as He sends you.
Pause and Consider:
- What area of your life feels like an “ending” right now that might actually be a beginning in disguise?
- How does knowing you’re blessed before you’re sent change the way you approach today?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You that You don’t send me out alone. Thank You that Your blessing covers every uncertainty I face. Help me to remember that I don’t carry this mission in my own strength, but in Your grace. Let me walk today knowing I am blessed, loved, and empowered by You. Amen.
Day 2: Stop Asking When, Start Living What
Scripture: Acts 1:6-7
“So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.'”
Reflection:
The disciples still didn’t quite get it. Even after the resurrection, they were asking for timelines, clarity, and control. “When will you do this, Jesus? When will things happen the way we expect?”
And Jesus redirects them with gentle firmness: “You’re asking the wrong question.”
We do the same thing, don’t we? We get caught up in the “when” questions:
- When will God move in this situation?
- When will things change?
- When will I see breakthrough?
But Jesus shifts us from speculation to participation. He moves us from “when will it happen?” to “what am I called to do right now?”
The truth is, we don’t need a timeline—we need faithfulness. We don’t need to know the future—we need to live the present with purpose. God hasn’t called us to figure out His schedule; He’s called us to stay on mission, to keep moving forward, to trust Him with the when while we focus on the what.
Pause and Consider:
- What “when” question have you been stuck on lately?
- What “what” is God calling you to focus on instead—today, right where you are?
Prayer:
Lord, I confess that I often want timelines more than I want trust. Help me to release my need to control the “when” and embrace the “what” You’ve placed before me today. Give me faithfulness in this moment, knowing that You hold all the tomorrows. Amen.
Day 3: You Will Receive Power
Scripture: Acts 1:8a
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
Reflection:
Notice Jesus doesn’t say “might” or “maybe.” He says, “You will receive power.”
This isn’t hype. This isn’t emotion. This is divine enablement. The word “power” here is dunamis—the root of our word “dynamite.” It’s the supernatural strength of the Holy Spirit living in you.
Here’s what we need to understand: The disciples weren’t naturally bold. They weren’t naturally fearless. They hid. They doubted. They locked themselves in rooms out of fear. But something changed in them—not because they got their act together, but because God gave them Himself.
You cannot live a supernatural life without supernatural strength. And God doesn’t just give you a mission and wish you luck—He gives you His Spirit. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you today (Romans 8:11).
A.W. Tozer said it beautifully: “The Spirit-filled life is not about having more of God, but about God having more of you.”
That power isn’t for your comfort, status, or convenience. It’s for witness. It’s for mission. It’s so you can live boldly, speak truth, love sacrificially, and point others to Jesus—even when it’s hard.
Pause and Consider:
- Where do you feel weak or inadequate in your calling right now?
- How might you need to surrender more of yourself to the Holy Spirit’s power today?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I need Your power. I can’t do this life on my own strength. Fill me afresh today. Take more of me so that Your power can work through me. Help me to trust that You are enough for whatever I face. Amen.
Day 4: Defined by Our Calling
Scripture: Acts 1:8
“…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Reflection:
Notice Jesus doesn’t say “you might be” or “you should be” or “some of you will be.” He says, “You will be my witnesses.”
A witness doesn’t have all the answers. A witness doesn’t argue a case or prove a theory. A witness simply tells what they’ve seen. They testify. They speak from experience—about forgiveness, about grace, about transformation. Literally, about theirs.
In the first century, the word “witness” (martys) eventually became associated with martyrdom. Why? Because so many witnesses refused to stop speaking about Jesus—even when it cost them everything. Their identity was defined by their calling.
And look at the movement Jesus describes:
- Jerusalem (home—where people know you)
- Judea (your region—your extended community)
- Samaria (uncomfortable places—where prejudice and tension exist)
- Ends of the earth (everyone, everywhere)
The gospel is always moving outward. And so should we—until we take our last breath and ascend home. We are defined not by our job title, our successes, or our failures, but by this calling: We are His witnesses.
Pause and Consider:
- If someone observed your life this past week, would there be enough evidence to call you a witness?
- Where is your “Samaria”—the uncomfortable place God might be calling you to share His love?
Prayer:
Jesus, define me by Your calling. Help me to be a faithful witness in my Jerusalem, my Judea, my Samaria, and beyond. Give me courage to speak about what You’ve done in my life. Let my identity be rooted in being Yours. Amen.
Day 5: Don’t Just Stand There—Go!
Scripture: Acts 1:9-11
“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight… ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'”
Reflection:
They stood there, staring into the sky, locked in awe. Who can blame them? They had just watched Jesus ascend into heaven. But then the angels speak with gentle urgency: “Why are you standing here? Don’t you have something better to do?”
It’s almost humorous—but profoundly important. Don’t just stand there. Don’t just admire. Don’t get stuck in the moment. Go.
Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, reigning in authority and victory, interceding for us. And yes, He’s coming back—in the same way, in the clouds, in glory. But until that day, we have work to do.
Look at the disciples’ response in Luke 24:52-53: “And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.”
Joy. Worship. Obedience. They left that mountaintopDay 5 continued:
Joy. Worship. Obedience. They left that mountaintop transformed—not confused and afraid, but anchored in worship, aligned with purpose, and set on mission.
And friends, that’s the balance we need today. We worship the ascended Christ, and then we move. We don’t just attend church—we become the church scattered. We don’t just study the mission—we live it.
Here’s the beautiful truth: We are not just saved; we are sent. We are not just forgiven; we are commissioned. We are not just believers; we are witnesses.
That doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes being a witness looks like:
- Speaking hope into a discouraged coworker
- Living with integrity when others compromise
- Sharing your story when the moment opens
- Choosing love when it would be easier to walk away
- Everyday faithfulness with eternal impact
1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
The world is still asking questions. Ships are still crashing on the rocks in the darkness. And we have been given oil for one purpose—to keep the light burning.
So don’t blend in. Don’t drift. Don’t stay silent. You are a witness. Go. Speak. Live. Shine.
Pause and Consider:
- What’s one specific way you can be a witness this week—at home, at work, in your community?
- Is there someone God has been bringing to mind who needs to hear about the hope you have in Jesus?
Prayer:
Lord, I don’t want to just stand here staring at the sky. I want to go where You send me. Help me to worship You and then to move in obedience. Give me opportunities this week to be Your witness—and give me the courage to take them. Use my everyday faithfulness for Your eternal purposes. I am Yours. Send me. Amen.
Weekly Challenge:
This week, commit to being an intentional witness in your everyday life. Choose one of these actions:
- Share your story – Tell someone what Jesus has done in your life
- Serve sacrificially – Meet a practical need for someone in your community
- Invite someone – Bring a friend or neighbor to church or a church event
- Pray boldly – Ask God to show you your “Samaria” and give you courage to go there
- Live differently – In one area where you’ve been blending in, let your faith be visible
Remember: You are blessed before you’re sent. You have received power through the Holy Spirit. You are defined by your calling as Christ’s witness. Now go—with joy, with purpose, and with the confidence that the same Jesus who ascended will one day return.
Say it with confidence: “I am a witness!”