The Cross

⏳Easter Timeline

Sun – Jesus enters Jerusalem
Mon – Jesus throws the Merchants out
Tue – Jesus debates the Pharisees
Wed – Jesus rests
Thu – Jesus is arrested
Fri – Jesus’ trial and crucifixion
Sat – Jesus in the tomb
Sun – Jesus is risen!

💭 Reflect
After the Last Supper, Jesus walked to His favorite olive grove nearby to pray. He did this very often. This time, His anguish was so bad that He experienced what doctors now call hematohidrosis – when your sweat physically turns into blood from extreme stress. In the days leading up to this point, Jesus predicted His arrest, trial, death, and resurrection many times and now the time had come… 

📖 Luke 22:53
Jesus: “Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.”

❔ Questions

– Have you ever experienced anxiety or a panic attack in your body? Can you imagine what Jesus must have felt?

• Did Jesus do anything wrong? Why did they arrest Him?
• Do you notice how Jesus allows them to arrest Him, as if it were the right time? 
• What is the name of the disciple who betrayed Jesus, leading to His arrest?

🙏 Talk to God
Dear Jesus, when You were praying in that olive grove, You probably felt __________. I also felt that same emotion when ______. You never did a single wrong thing, yet they still ________. Thank You for willingly going to that cross for _______.  Amen.

🎨 Respond
Sketch an olive branch and imagine what Jesus must have felt like on that night.

🔥 Go Deeper

Read about the arrest: Luke 22:39-46

• Jesus invited His disciples to pray with Him: “Pray that you do not give in to temptation”. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 and see if you can connect the dots.
• You might be familiar with Peter denying Jesus 3 times before the rooster crowed (read that in Luke 22:54-62) But did you know that Jesus restored Peter after His resurrection? (read that in John 21:15-19)