The Road to the Cross

Introduction: The Journey to Calvary

Life is a journey, filled with twists, turns, and moments of both joy and sorrow. But no road in history has been more significant than the one Jesus walked—the road to the cross. This journey was not accidental; it was planned from the very beginning, woven into the fabric of prophecy and fulfilled in the person of Christ.

In this series, "The Road to Redemption," we will walk step by step with Jesus as He approaches the cross, seeing His mission unfold through Scripture. From His predictions of suffering in Luke 18:31–34 to the vivid prophecy of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53, we will witness the depth of His love and the cost of our salvation.

Each message is this short two part sermon series will reveal how Jesus’ path was not one of defeat, but of purpose, obedience, and ultimate victory. Along the way, we will see how His suffering was foretold, how His disciples struggled to understand, and how His sacrifice secured our redemption.

As we embark on this journey together, may we open our hearts to the gravity of His sacrifice and the glory of His resurrection. The road to redemption is one of pain, but it leads to eternal hope and new life.

As I said earlier this road to the cross was not a detour or an accident; it was the very purpose for which Jesus came.

Matthew 20:28 NKJV

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

This road to the cross was laid before the foundation of the earth, before God created the plan was already in place because of the foreknowledge of God.

Acts 2:23 ESV

23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

So lets begin by reading together from Luke’s account.

Luke 18:31–34 NKJV

31 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” 34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.

I. Jesus’ Clear Prediction of His Suffering

Jesus knew exactly what was waiting for Him when He entered Jerusalem. He was fully aware that He would be betrayed, mocked, beaten, and nailed to a cross in unbearable pain. Yet, He still chose to go. He walked toward suffering, not away from it, because of His deep love for us and His commitment to fulfilling the Father’s plan.

This journey to the cross was not merely a series of unfortunate events; it was the fulfillment of all that the prophets had written throughout the Scriptures. From the very beginning, God's plan of redemption was woven into the fabric of biblical history.

In Genesis 3:15, we see the first glimmer of hope in the promise of a Savior who would crush the serpent's head while suffering a wound to His heel.

This initial prophecy laid the groundwork for a narrative that would unfold over centuries, revealing the nature of the coming Messiah.

As we move through the books of Moses, we encounter the sacrificial system that foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

The Passover lamb in Exodus 12 symbolizes the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world, highlighting the necessity of a pure and blameless offering.

This imagery continues throughout the Levitical laws, where the concept of atonement through sacrifice prepares the way for understanding Jesus' sacrificial death.

The Psalms offer powerful glimpses into the heart of the suffering Messiah.

In Psalm 22, David’s lament resonates with the cries of Christ on the cross, expressing profound anguish and abandonment: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Words that Jesus echoes on the cross pointing use to the OT Psalms as foreshadowing of the passion of Christ.

This psalm like many others, vividly portrays the humiliation, pain, and ultimate victory of the suffering servant, reminding us that Jesus’ suffering was foretold long before His incarnation.

The prophet Isaiah provides one of the clearest depictions of the suffering Messiah in Isaiah 53.

He describes the Messiah as the one who would be “despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”

This chapter emphasizes that His suffering would not be in vain; rather, it would serve as the means of atonement for humanity’s sins, affirming that “by His wounds we are healed.” We will come back to Isaiah 53 later on...

As we journey through the prophetic writings of Jeremiah and Zechariah, we are reminded that the Messiah would face rejection and would be pierced for our transgressions.

Zechariah 12:10 specifically speaks to the sorrow and mourning that will occur when they look upon the one whom they have pierced, further validating the weight of Jesus' impending sacrifice.

Finally, Malachi closes the Old Testament with a promise of the messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord.

This hope points to the coming of Christ, who would fulfill the Law and the Prophets by taking on the burden of sin and death. Jesus didn’t enter Jerusalem in defeat—He went with courage and purpose, knowing He was fulfilling God’s plan to save His people. Everything in the Old Testament led to Him. He chose the path of suffering because He knew His sacrifice was necessary for our salvation.

B. The Disciples’ Lack of Understanding v.34

Even though the disciples heard Jesus speak directly, they didn’t fully understand the seriousness of His words. They expected the Messiah to be a powerful leader who would free them from Roman rule and restore Israel’s greatness. This idea made it hard for them to see the true purpose of Jesus’ mission. Instead of recognizing Him as the suffering servant foretold in the Scriptures, they were focused on a vision of triumph and power.

This confusion isn’t just a historical fact; it teaches us a valuable lesson today. How often do we, like the disciples, struggle to understand God’s plan when it doesn’t match our expectations? We may have ideas about how God should act or how our lives should go. We might pray for relief from pain, clarity during confusion, or quick answers, only to find ourselves waiting and struggling instead.

During these times, we can feel frustrated when God’s ways don’t align with our desires. We may wonder why He allows suffering and hardships in our lives, questioning whether He is truly in control. Just as the disciples were puzzled by Jesus’ suffering, we can feel confused when God’s path doesn’t fit the story we imagined for our lives.

The journey of the disciples teaches us that understanding God’s plan often requires us to change our perspective. Jesus didn’t just come to fulfill the prophecies of a mighty king; He came to show us God’s love through suffering and sacrifice. His way to glory was through the cross, which highlights the values of His kingdom—humility, grace, and the power of redemption through suffering.

In our lives, we need to let go of our expectations and be open to the idea that God’s plan may be much greater than we can see. Just as Jesus explained His purpose to His disciples, we must seek to understand His ways through prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. These practices can help us find clarity and peace, even when things are tough.

As we think about the journey of the disciples and our own paths, let’s remember that God’s plan often unfolds in ways we can’t understand right away. Instead of resisting or questioning His ways, we should cultivate trust in Him, allowing Him to guide us on the path He has set for us. Just as the disciples witnessed the fullness of Jesus’ love through His suffering, we are invited to experience the richness of God’s grace in our lives, even when we face uncertainty.

Now lets turn our attention once again to Isaiah 53

II. The Suffering Servant Foretold

Lets read it together and get a grasp of what is going on here.

Isaiah 53:3–5 NKJV

3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

A. The Messiah’s Suffering Was for Us

Isaiah, writing 700 years before Christ, clearly describes the suffering that Jesus would go through. His words give us a powerful picture of a Messiah who wouldn’t come as a conquering hero but as a suffering servant. Each lash from the whip, every wound, and every insult directed at Him were not for His sins but for ours. This truth shows the depth of God’s love and highlights the seriousness of our wrongdoing.

In Psalm 69:7-9, 21, the psalmist talks about the rejection and suffering the Messiah would face: “For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.”

These verses reflect Jesus’ experiences during His time on earth, where He was scorned and ridiculed by those who should have recognized Him as their Savior.

Lamentations 3:30 describes the suffering servant as someone who willingly takes a hit: “Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him and be filled with disgrace.”

This imagery highlights Jesus’ willingness to endure pain and shame. He didn’t fight back against those who hurt Him; instead, He accepted His suffering as part of His mission to save humanity.

When it says “He was despised,” it captures the sadness of the Gospel. Jesus was rejected by the people He came to save—those who had been waiting for the Messiah for so long.

His message of love and forgiveness was met with doubt and betrayal, reminding us that sometimes, we resist the truth that challenges our own beliefs.

The prophecy states that “He was pierced.” This was literally fulfilled at the cross when Jesus was nailed to the wooden beams.

The soldier who pierced His side, as told in the Gospel of John (John 19:34), shows the reality of His suffering. Each nail driven into His hands and feet represents not just physical pain but also the burden of our sins that He took upon Himself.

Isaiah also says “He was crushed for our iniquities.” This means that Jesus took the punishment for our sins, even though He was completely innocent.

He willingly accepted the penalty we deserved, demonstrating how much He loves us. The idea of being crushed points to the intense suffering and pain He experienced, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant.

Jesus’ suffering was not pointless; it was a crucial part of God’s plan to save us. Through His wounds, we find healing (Isaiah 53:5), and through His sacrifice, we receive forgiveness and a chance to be right with God. Understanding this calls us to think deeply about what our salvation cost and the love that motivated Jesus to go through such pain.

III. The Road to the Cross Leads to Victory

Though the road to the cross was filled with suffering, it did not end in defeat.

Jesus Himself reassured His disciples in Luke 18:33, saying, “And on the third day, He will rise.”

The disciples didn’t fully understand what Jesus was saying. They saw only the suffering ahead, not realizing that the cross was not the end.

Luke 18:31-34 – "But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said."

Jesus had to suffer to defeat sin. Since the beginning, sin had separated humanity from God, bringing guilt and condemnation. Jesus took our punishment upon Himself, offering His life as the perfect sacrifice. His death fulfilled the Law and made redemption possible.

Isaiah 53:5 – "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

2 Corinthians 5:21 – "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Hebrews 9:22 – "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."

The cross was also necessary to satisfy God’s justice. Sin could not simply be ignored—it had to be dealt with. Jesus took our place, paying the price we never could. Through His sacrifice, God’s justice and mercy came together, making a way for us to be forgiven.

Romans 3:25-26 – "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."

1 Peter 3:18 – "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God."

Then, on the third day, Jesus rose again, proving that death was defeated. What seemed like failure was actually victory. The empty tomb is proof that Jesus triumphed over sin and death, giving us the hope of eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."

Revelation 1:18 – "I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."

Romans 6:9 – "We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him."

God often works through suffering to bring about His greater purpose. The cross, once a symbol of shame, became the ultimate sign of salvation. In the same way, our struggles are not the end of our story. Just as Jesus’ journey led to life, God is at work in our hardships, bringing hope, healing, and new beginnings.

Romans 8:28 – "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

2 Corinthians 4:17 – "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."

Hebrews 12:2 – "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

How Should We Respond?

1. Recognize the Cost of Salvation

The road to the cross reminds us that our salvation was not free—it was paid for at a great cost. Jesus endured unimaginable suffering, betrayal, and death so that we could be reconciled to God.

2. Trust in God’s Plan Even When You Don’t Understand

Jesus’ disciples struggled to comprehend why He had to suffer. Their expectations of the Messiah didn’t align with the suffering Servant described in Scripture. Instead, they had envisioned a victorious political leader who would overthrow Rome.

Just as Jesus’ suffering had a purpose far beyond what the disciples could see at the time, we can trust that God is working out His plan even when we don’t understand. His ways are always good, and His love never fails.

3. Live in the Power of the Resurrection

The cross was not the end. Jesus didn’t remain in the tomb—on the third day, He rose again! The suffering and death of Christ were necessary, but the resurrection is what sealed the victory.

Romans 6:4 declares, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event; it is the foundation of our faith and the source of our hope. Because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow with confidence. Because He conquered sin and death, we, too, can walk in the victory He secured for us.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude. Thank You for sending Jesus to walk the road to the cross for us. Thank You for His sacrifice, for the love that held Him there, and for the victory that was won through His resurrection.

Lord, help us to never take Your grace for granted. Open our eyes to the depth of Your love and the cost of our salvation. When we struggle to understand Your ways, strengthen our faith and remind us that Your plans are always good.

Teach us to walk daily in the power of the resurrection, living as people who have been redeemed and made new. May our lives reflect the victory of Christ, and may we be bold witnesses of His love and truth to the world.

As we journey toward Easter, fix our eyes on Jesus. Remind us that suffering is never the end of the story—the resurrection is coming. We praise You, we love You, and we trust You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.