Welcome to Day 40 of Journey to the Cross. Let’s reflect on Jesus’s journey to the cross today as his body lies in the grave.

When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. Then Pilate ordered that it be released. So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb.

Matthew 27:57-61

How would you describe Jesus’s journey to the cross? There are many words that could describe it, but one option of consideration is the word “strange.”

Think about it. Jesus’s journey began in a strange way. He was born a king, but laid in a feeding trough. The Magi from the east came seeking a King and presented him with gifts, yet he was raised as a carpenter’s son. He eventually gathered a group of followers, and what a strange group it was: radical zealots, rowdy fishermen, meticulous tax collectors, inquisitive doubters, and various other ordinary people. Every single one of them a sinner.

As Jesus journeyed, he brought the people a strange mercy. He offered love for the outcasts, healing for the diseased and injured, meals for the hungry, and forgiveness for foreigners.

Jesus taught strange lessons, like extending radical forgiveness. He said to forgive as your Heavenly Father has forgiven you. He said to give without counting the cost. He taught and demonstrated serving in love without desire for recognition or reward.

The end of his journey was also strange. As God in the flesh, Jesus had the power and authority to release legions of angels upon the Roman authorities. He could have destroyed them with but a single word. Yet Jesus allowed Rome’s soldiers to spit on him, mock him, curse him, strip him naked and gamble on his clothes. Although he had all power, he acted as if he were powerless.

Although Jesus was and is the author of all creation, he allowed the very thorns he had made to be pressed into his brow. He allowed the cold nails to puncture his holy veins and spill his sacred blood. He was truly God from all eternity. He never ceased being God. He never became lesser. Although it is frequently taught, there was never a rift in the Godhead that made Jesus somehow separated from his nature as God. But Jesus did really and truly die. And as we read, he was buried.

Tomorrow, on Easter Sunday, we will celebrate the strangest part of Jesus’s journey. It is the strangest part, but it is also the most wonderful part. For tomorrow we celebrate Jesus’s resurrection from the dead. It is strange to think that a dead man could be raised back to life. It is strange to think that his cold, lifeless body once again flowed with life as the warm blood coursed through his veins and his heart began to beat again. It is strange to think that Jesus walked out of the tomb that held his once dead body. It is strange, but it is wonderful, and it is true!

This is Jesus’s strange journey, his journey to the cross to win salvation for all humanity. Scripture tells us that anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus will be saved. His death purchased our victory and His resurrection vindicates Jesus’s claim to be the Son of God. His journey is not what we would, or even could, expect. It is far greater and much more wonderful than anything we could ever have imagined!

Today as you pray, say something like: “Father, thank you for dying for me. Even more, thank you for living again! Keep me vigilant to watch for signs of new life where once there was death. Help me to live for you every day and tell the good news of the salvation you offer to the whole world.”

Thank you for joining me for the last forty days as we celebrate Jesus’s Journey to the Cross. I hope that tomorrow you find a local church to gather with to celebrate our risen Lord. If you don’t have somewhere to attend and are in the area, I invite you to join me at Chandler Southern Baptist Church, located at 1002 E 15th St, Chandler, OK at 11am. I hope you have found this devotional series to be helpful in preparing for Easter Sunday.