The Journey to the Cross — Preparing the Highway
Date: June 12 Scripture Focus: Matthew 3 (The Ministry of John the Baptist & The Baptism of Jesus) When we think of "A Journey to the Cross," our minds naturally drift to the final, agonizing week in Jerusalem—the upper room, the shadows of Gethsemane, and the heavy wooden beam dragged up Golgotha. But the path to Calvary did not begin at the trial before Pilate. It began long before, breaking into public view on the muddy banks of the Jordan River in Matthew chapter 3. Here, the journey to the cross takes its first official, public steps. The Voice in the Wilderness Matthew 3 introduces us to John the Baptist, a rugged prophet shouting a disruptive message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2). John’s entire mission was architectural—he was a spiritual bulldozer sent to "Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight" (Matthew 3:3). The Cross Connection: Why does a journey toward an execution de...
