The Journey Begins – Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, knowing the cross awaited Him. His journey was one of obedience, sacrifice, and love. As we begin this series, we’ll reflect on what it means to follow Christ with the same determination. Are we willing to walk His road, no matter the cost?

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Notes for The Journey Begins

Road to the Resurrection

I. Introduction: The Road Ahead

I want to welcome everyone as we begin a new series today,

I beleive we need to take more time to focus on the most important aspect of being a follower of Jesus Christ

I mean Christmas is an amazing time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ.

And we usually spend some of November and all of December leading up to this memorial

But let this be said

Christimas is meaningless without the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

So I intend to take today and the next 6 weeks to help focus our attention on the greatest event the world has ever hosted

Over this 7 week series, we going to take a look at the steps that lead up to the crusifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I would love if we could all travel back in time to see this unfold, that would have a lasting impact on everyone of us.

but we can’t.

So we’re going to attempt to bring the reality of the situation to the forfront

I ask you to join me on the road to the resurrection.

Every great journey has a starting point.

Illustration: Timmy & Sarah – The Hard Road

Timmy and Sarah were excited about the big hiking trip their church Kids club had planned.

The hike was to the top of Eagle’s Peak, a breathtaking spot where you could see for miles. The only problem? It was a steep and difficult climb.

As they arrived at the trailhead, Sarah looked up and groaned. “Why couldn’t we have picked an easier trail? This looks exhausting!” she complained.

Timmy, on the other hand, was determined. “The view at the top is worth it,” he said, tightening his backpack straps.

They started hiking, but soon, the road got tough. The trail was rocky, their legs ached, the misquitoes were nasty, and at one point, Sarah almost turned back. “This isn’t fun anymore,” she huffed, sitting on a fallen log. “Why did I even agree to this?”

Timmy, though tired, pointed to a sign ahead: “Almost There—Keep Going!” “We can’t stop now,” he encouraged her. “We came all this way, and we’re so close!”

With one final push, they made it to the peak—and the view was spectacular! The struggle was worth it. They had accomplished what they set out to do, Sarah smiled, breathing in the fresh air. “Wow. I almost missed this because I wanted an easy way.”

Jesus faced a much harder road, yet He never turned back Luke 9:51 NASB95

⁵¹ When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;

Like Sarah, we sometimes want an easier path, but following Jesus means walking the road of sacrifice and obedience.

The reward at the end—the resurrection, eternity with Jesus—is all worth it!

Jesus calls us forward—let’s keep walking!

Jesus knew where He was going—toward the cross—

He knew what awaited Him, but He still chose to go.

It was the divine fulfilment of why He was sent to earth in the form of a manLuke 9:51 NASB95

⁵¹ When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;

II. Jesus’ Determination to Fulfill His Mission

Jesus Was Not Distracted

He could have stayed in comfort, but He chose the hard path.

Distractions can keep us from God’s purpose

I have been overwhelmed with all the good things I have been able to do.

I have to admit, I haven’t listened to my own preaching.

Its important to realize something Good can be a distraction If its not what God has called you to do.

We all need discernment to know what’s the “Right” thing for us to do

Jesus Did Not Fear Opposition

He knew rejection, suffering, and death awaited Him Luke 18:31–33 NASB95

³¹ Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. ³² “For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, ³³ and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.”

Following Jesus requires courage to face trials and opposition.John 16:33 NASB95

³³ “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus Walked in Obedience

Isaiah 50:7 NASB95

⁷ For the Lord God helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.

Flint is hard and unshakable

Jesus was unwavering in His obedience to God’s will.

Have you determined in your heart that you will obey no matter what’s the cost!

Or is your obedience based on what you get out of it?

take some time and reflect on that profound question

III. The Cost of Following Jesus

Jesus Calls Us to Follow the Same Road

Luke 9:23 NASB95

²³ And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

The Christian walk isn’t about convenience but commitment.Matthew 13:1–9 NASB95

¹ That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. ² And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. ³ And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; ⁴ and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. ⁵ “Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. ⁶ “But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. ⁷ “Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. ⁸ “And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. ⁹ “He who has ears, let him hear.”

Jesus told a parable about a farmer who scattered seeds, and the way those seeds responded depended on the soil they landed on.

This parable teaches us about how different people respond to God’s Word.

The Four Types of Soil:

The Path – The seed never takes root; the enemy snatches it away.

The Rocky Ground – The seed sprouts quickly but has no depth, so it withers under trials.

The Thorny Ground – The seed grows but is choked by worries and the deceitfulness of wealth.

The Good Soil – The seed flourishes, growing and producing a great harvest.

Just as Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, we are called to be good soil,

fully committed to the journey, no matter the obstacles.

Some, like the rocky soil, start with excitement but turn back when the road gets tough.

Others get distracted by life’s worries and comforts, like the thorny ground.

But those who endure and stay committed bear lasting fruit.

We Must Count the Cost

Luke 14:27–28 NASB95

²⁷ “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. ²⁸ “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

Want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

its a necessity to carry your cross

but what does that mean?

When Jesus said, “Take up your cross,” He wasn’t talking about minor inconveniences or everyday struggles.

In the Roman world, the cross was a symbol of suffering, shame, and death.

Carrying a cross meant total surrender—a willingness to follow Jesus even when it costs everything.

Three Key Aspects of Carrying Your Cross:

Dying to Self

Carrying your cross means putting God’s will above your own.

esus prayed in Gethsemane, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

Enduring Hardship for Christ

Following Jesus isn’t always easy—it involves persecution, rejection, and trials.

“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

A Daily Decision

Jesus said to take up your cross daily—this is a continuous commitment.

It’s not a one-time event but a lifestyle of faithfulness, sacrifice, and trust in Jesus.

God does not expect blind faith.

blind faith gives the enemy opportunity to sow seeds of destruction

count the cost.

Are you willing to give up everything to follow Him.

Yes I mean everything.

Its only then that He can do everything in your life

God’s Strength Will Carry Us Through

Philippians 3:13–14 NASB95

¹³ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

We press forward, knowing that He who began the good work will complete it.

IV. Application: Walking the Road to Resurrection

V. Conclusion: A Call to Commitment

Jesus knew where His journey would lead, yet He walked forward in love.

Today, we are called to walk in that same love and obedience.

Will you set your face toward Him and follow wherever He leads?

Ask God to give us the courage and determination to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

Commit to surrendering distractions and fears that keep us from walking His road.