7-day plan: The Cross
How and why Jesus died, foretold by the prophets and told by the witnesses
One passage a day, with a question to think it over. Your progress stays on this device, no account needed.
Day 1 · Foretold by the prophets
Isaac asks about the lamb; Abraham says, “Elohim will see for himself the lamb”
Isaac said to Abraham his father, and he said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “Elohim will see for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
Genesis 22:7–8 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What is hard for you to place in Elohim’s hands, and how can you talk with him about it?
Day 2 · What happened
In Gethsemane, anguished, Jesus prays that the Father's will be done
Then Jesus comes with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he says to the disciples, “Sit here while I go away there and pray.” And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be grieved and distressed. Then he says to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with me.” And going forward a little, he fell on his face praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I want, but as you want.” And he comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping, and says to Peter, “So you were not able to keep watch with me one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh weak.” Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, let your will be done.” And coming again, he found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And leaving them again, he went away and prayed a third time, saying the same words again. Then he comes to the disciples and says to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Look, the hour has come near, and the Son of Man is handed over into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us go; look, the one who hands me over has come near.”
Matthew 26:36–46 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Peter said he would never deny him, and then did (vv. 33–35, 69–75). How can you start over after failing someone?
Day 3 · Why he died
He died for those who were still weak: this is how God shows his love
For while we were still weak, at the right time the Messiah died for the ungodly. For scarcely will anyone die for a righteous person; though for the good person perhaps someone even dares to die. But God shows his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, the Messiah died for us. Much more, then, having now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from the wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, having been reconciled, we will be saved by his life. And not only that, but we are also boasting in God through our Lord Jesus the Messiah, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Romans 5:6–11 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Paul speaks of peace with God and of hope (vv. 1-2). What can you do today to live with more peace and hope?
Day 4 · What it means for us
Paul: crucified with the Messiah, he no longer lives, but the Messiah lives in him
For I, through the law, died to the law, so that I might live to God. With the Messiah I have been crucified; and it is no longer I who live, but the Messiah lives in me; and what I now live in the flesh, I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.
Galatians 2:19–20 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What does it invite you to do today, even something small?
Day 5 · Foretold by the prophets
The lamb's blood on the doorposts spares Israel on the night of Passover
Your lamb shall be without defect, a male, a year old; from the sheep or from the goats you shall take it. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and the whole assembly of the community of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the meat that night, roasted in fire, and unleavened bread; with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled at all in water, but roasted in fire, its head with its legs and with its inner parts. You shall not leave any of it until morning; and what is left of it until morning you shall burn in the fire. This is how you shall eat it: your waists belted, your sandals on your feet, and your walking stick in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It is the Passover of YHWH. I will pass through the land of Egypt this night and strike every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both people and animals; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments. I am YHWH. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are; when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no destroying plague will be among you when I strike the land of Egypt.
Exodus 12:5–13 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Who could you share this with this week?
Day 6 · What happened
Judas betrays him with a kiss before a crowd armed with swords and clubs
And while he was still speaking, look, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the high priests and elders of the people. Now the one who was handing him over had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss, he is the one; seize him.” And at once coming up to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and he kissed him. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do that for which you have come.” Then they came up and laid their hands on Jesus and seized him.
Matthew 26:47–50 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Peter said he would never deny him, and then did (vv. 33–35, 69–75). How can you start over after failing someone?
Day 7 · Why he died
Love is not that we loved, but that God sent his Son
By this the love of God was revealed among us: that God has sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as the expiation for our sins.
1 John 4:9–10 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
John writes that perfect love casts out fear (v. 18). What fear would you like to hand to God today?