5 Day Devotionals
Journey to the Cross – Week 5
Day 1: The Unexpected Journey
Scripture: Luke 23:26 – “As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.”
Reflection:
Simon of Cyrene never planned to carry a cross that day. He came to Jerusalem as a pilgrim, expecting to celebrate Passover, not to bear the burden of a condemned man’s execution beam. Yet in that unexpected moment, Simon literally fulfilled Jesus’ earlier words: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
Sometimes God meets us on roads we never intended to walk. What looks like an inconvenience can become an invitation. Simon’s forced obedience may have led to transforming faith—scholars believe his family later became followers of Christ, as Mark mentions his sons Alexander and Rufus were known to the early church.
Where has God interrupted your plans lately? What unexpected burden might actually be an invitation to walk closer with Jesus?
Prayer:
Father, help me recognize Your hand in the unexpected moments of my life. When my plans are interrupted, give me eyes to see Your invitation rather than just inconvenience. Like Simon, may I discover that carrying the cross leads me closer to Jesus. Amen.
Day 2: The Cross of Rejection
Scripture: Luke 23:39 – “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!'”
Reflection:
The first criminal’s words reveal a heart that wanted relief without relationship. He believed Jesus had power—otherwise, why cry out to Him? But he rejected Jesus as Lord and King. His plea was “save yourself and us”—he wanted escape from the cross, not forgiveness from sin.
This mindset still exists today. Many people are happy to call on Jesus when life falls apart—when the diagnosis comes, when jobs are lost, when relationships collapse. But once the crisis passes, life goes right back to normal. They want situational rescue, not spiritual surrender.
Jesus said in John 8:24, “Unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” This criminal died on the cross of rejection because he wanted Jesus’ power without His lordship.
Are there areas of your life where you’re asking Jesus for help but resisting His authority? What would it look like to surrender those areas completely to Him?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I’ve treated You like a crisis hotline instead of my King. I don’t just want Your help—I want You. Help me surrender every area of my life to Your lordship, not just the parts that are falling apart. Amen.
Day 3: The Cross of Reception
Scripture: Luke 23:40-42 – “But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'”
Reflection:
Something incredible happened in this criminal’s heart. Earlier, both criminals had mocked Jesus (Matthew and Mark tell us this). But somewhere between the insults and suffering, conviction came. Maybe it was the way Jesus responded to hatred. Maybe it was when He prayed, “Father, forgive them.”
This man realized two crucial truths: First, he was guilty—”we’re getting what we deserve.” In a world where people rarely admit wrongdoing, he took responsibility. Second, he recognized Jesus’ innocence and kingship—”remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Notice what he didn’t ask for: he didn’t ask to be taken off the cross. He knew he was going to die. Instead, he asked for something greater—to be remembered by the King. And Jesus responded with one of the most beautiful promises in Scripture: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
It’s never too late to change your heart and allegiance. God’s mercy can reach anyone at any time.
Prayer:
Jesus, like that criminal, I acknowledge my guilt and Your innocence. I recognize You as King. Remember me, Lord, not because I deserve it, but because of Your mercy. Thank You that it’s never too late to turn to You. Amen.
Day 4: The Cross of Redemption
Scripture: Philippians 2:8 – “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Reflection:
Between the two outside crosses stood the middle one—the cross of redemption. Think about everything Jesus endured that day: physical suffering, humiliation, mocking, and the spiritual anguish of taking the weight of all the world’s sins upon His shoulders.
Jesus had the power to stop it. He could have called down ten thousand angels. He could have walked away. But He didn’t. He stayed because the cross was the only way to rescue humanity.
Remember Barabbas? He was supposed to die on that middle cross. But the crowd demanded his release, and Jesus took his place. At some point in our lives, we’re all Barabbas. We’re the guilty ones who deserve judgment. The beautiful truth of this gruesome story is that Jesus stepped into our place—not just Barabbas’s place, but yours and mine.
The cross shows us both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of God’s love. Jesus wasn’t dying for His sins—He didn’t have any. He was dying for yours and mine.
Prayer:
Lord, I am Barabbas. I am the guilty one who deserves judgment. Thank You for stepping into my place, for taking the punishment I deserved so I could receive forgiveness. Help me never take this moment for granted. I love You for what You did for me. Amen.
Day 5: Which Cross Is Yours?
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life that both you and your descendants may live.”
Reflection:
On that hill outside Jerusalem stood three wooden crosses. One represented rejection, one represented reception, and the middle cross represented redemption. Every person alive today is represented by one of those criminals.
The difference between the two criminals wasn’t their past—both were guilty. The difference was their response to Jesus. One hardened his heart; the other humbled his heart. That’s the same choice that stands before us today.
Will you reject Him, or will you turn and say, “Jesus, remember me”? The mercy that flowed from the middle cross is still available to all who call on Him in faith. The same promise still stands: “You will be with me in paradise.”
Maybe you’ve already made that decision. Maybe you need to recommit yourself to that middle cross today. Jesus died for you—we can’t take that lightly. We must surrender our lives to Him, not just on Sunday mornings, but on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Not just at 8am but at 8pm—every moment of our lives.
Jesus loves you and He always will. But you need to make that decision. You need to say, just like that criminal did, “Jesus, I need You. Remember me.” And He will reach out in love and say, “You got it. You’re mine.”
Prayer:
Father, I choose life. I choose Jesus. I choose the cross of reception, not rejection. Thank You that Your mercy is still available, that it’s never too late. Help me surrender my life to You—not just today, but every day, every moment. Jesus, remember me. I am Yours. Amen.
Closing Thought:
As you commune this week, affirm again: “I accept Jesus’ love and His work on the cross for me, and I apply it to my life.” Thank Him for the blood He spilled for you. Choose daily to pick up your cross and carry it for His sake, because that’s what He did for you.