Bloodthirsty excitement pumped through their veins as they saw the plan coming together. Finally. It seemed they’d been working toward this one goal far longer than they anticipated. Not by choice or for lack of trying. No. They had certainly tried before. Multiple times. Hours had been spent in clandestine meetings plotting and strategizing. Every time it had come to nothing. Their carefully laid plans had been thwarted. He’d miraculously walked away. Escaped their clutches. Or the crowd had forced them to stand idly by. It wouldn’t happen this time. The deck was stacked in their favor today. Judas’ purse was heavy with his commission, his feet light as he led them to the garden where they would finally begin the final, fatal steps of their evil plot. (Matthew 21:46; Luke 4:30; John 7:30,44; 10:39)
Adrenaline had them surging through the calmness of the night, trampling tender grasses, snapping delicate branches, destroying fragile blooms, interrupting the peace exuded by the space. Not one of them cared. Single-mindedly focused, they recklessly continued. Their torches cast an ominous glow. Their swaying lanterns twisted the shadows. Their swords clanked as they marched in full battle array. This was not simply another day, another order, another assignment. This was the most important day, the most notorious order, the most sought-after assignment. The success of this mission could make or break their careers. And its completion stood mere feet away. (John 18:1-3)
Disappointment replaced some of the bloodlust and dampened their adrenaline rush as they realized there would be no fight. No argument. No escape attempt. They had hoped He’d resist. Give them a reason to do some damage right there in front of His followers. A swift punch to the head. A hard boot to the abdomen. A sharp sword through the heart. Those soldiers lived for the moments their evil, cruel, hateful hearts could inflict pain, punishment, and death. It was all a game to them. A brutal game. One they played well. One they would gleefully continue to play once the cowardly Pilate, at the riotous urging of the depraved crowd, handed Jesus over to be flogged and crucified. (John 18:4-8)
It was an insulting game of “King for a day,” fun only to the perpetrators of the heinous acts. A game of humiliation and abuse, ending in the ultimate barbarity of Roman crucifixion. An entire company of soldiers assembled to take part in the event. Stripping Jesus of His own clothing, they dressed Him in a purple robe, the color signifying royalty. On His head they placed a crown woven from dried thorn branches, pressing down to drive the painful thorns into the tender flesh of His head. As the blood flowed down the sides of His face, falling to stain the borrowed purple garment, they pressed a staff into his right hand. Sneering and jeering, they took turns dropping to their knees at His feet and mockingly crying out, “Hail to the King of the Jews!” (John 19:2-3; Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:15-20)
Not one of them meant those words. Didn’t even realize they were true. Had no idea they were actually kneeling in the very presence of Heavenly royalty. Nor did they care. It was all a game to them. A way to feed their bloodlust. They believed themselves to be in charge, the ones leading Jesus to the cross. Not once did they realize He was leading them there. Bringing them to a place where all their abominable acts could be forgiven, their odious souls cleansed, their disgraceful lives redeemed through the grace and mercy flowing down in the bloody sacrifice of the cross.
They would find themselves there. At the foot of Jesus’ cross. Their unchanged hearts would miss the opportunity to repent, choosing instead to continue their villainous game. Others would happily join them. Sneering. Mocking. Insulting. Eventually, the soldiers would offer up a sponge of vinegar with a side of heavy derision. At His refusal, they would carelessly shrug their shoulders, sitting back to watch the goings on, joyfully listening as one of the criminals hanging beside Him took up their torch of haranguing and harassment. They heard the words of the second criminal earnestly begging for forgiveness and seeking eternal life. They heard the merciful response of grace and forgiveness Jesus uttered in return. Yet still they chose to continue in their remorseless path. Standing at the foot of the cross, the soldiers knew what to do, but arrogantly opted not to do it. (Luke 23:26-43)
Soldiers weren’t the only ones who followed Jesus’ death procession. Others were there as well. Those who had already experienced His power and forgiveness. Those like Mary Magdalene. Her story of deliverance was so great she’d have followed Jesus anywhere, even if it meant climbing on the cross herself. For years she’d sought deliverance from the seven demons plaguing her. She’d nearly given up hope. Holding on seemed silly. Deliverance seemed impossible. She’d asked every newcomer that entered her village, no one knew anyone or anything that could salvage her terrorized soul. Then she met Jesus. The sound of His voice and the power of His words sent the evil spirits running. She was free. Free to follow Jesus wherever He led. He’d led her to His cross. (Luke 8:1-2; 23:49; Mark 15:40; 16:9; Matthew 15:40; 27:55-56; John 19:25-27)
Others had found their way there as well. Some by appointment. Others in curiosity. Some in hateful rejoicing. Others in undying love. The ground was littered with onlookers of every rank and social status. Religious aristocrats. Pharisaical rulers. Mockers. Scoffers. Scorners. Those who wished they believed. Those who already did. Those who chose to follow Jesus even to the point of His death. Those who watched when they didn’t want to, saw things they couldn’t unsee. Those who loved Jesus enough to follow Him to the cross, then courageously take up their own cross and continue to follow Him. Daily. No matter how that looked. (Luke 23:35-36,42, 48-49)
Jesus had told them they would need to do this. Take up their cross, whatever it was, and follow Him. Leave behind the things of the world, the people, the habits, the pleasures, the loves, and abandon themselves to God alone. Not once did He say it would be easy. Never had He indicated it wouldn’t be costly. Nor had He promised wealth or popularity. Instead, He’d warned them. Trouble would come. Persecution would arise. People would reject their words, scoff at their standards, mock their beliefs. There would be dangers and death threats. Yet none of this would change the fact that to be His followers, to be true disciples of Jesus Christ, they would each have to stand at the foot of His cross, personally choose to take up their own cross, and follow Him. Every day. (Matthew 10:37-39; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-25, 57-62; John 16:33)
The message hasn’t changed in the ensuing centuries. If you are going to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, you must first go to the cross. It’s non-negotiable. But it’s not just a visit. It’s a daily decision. Simply being present at the foot of the cross means nothing. It is what you do there that counts. It is the repentance you make. It is the change you embrace. It is the choice you make to daily take up your own cross and be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. It is a costly choice. You may have to lay things aside. Things you love. Friendships. Relationships. Hobbies. Loves. You will have to weigh and measure your rathers versus Jesus’ requirements. It has the potential to be painful. It carries the promise of being worth it. (Matthew 19:21; Colossians 3:1-25; Luke 14:33; Galatians 2:20)
All of us have and will find ourselves at the cross. Multiple times. Every day. Unwilling that any human should die in their sins, God makes certain to lead each of us to the place of repentance, the foot of the cross. It is what you do there that matters. It is what you choose there that alters your eternity. Hesitation to lay down your sins and pick up your cross will harm your soul. Attempting to sort through the options, choose the most appealing and discard the others will place your heart in danger. It is only in full surrender and sweet capitulation to God’s will and plan that you will find soul peace and eternal promise. And it’s all available at the foot of the cross. (Job 11:13-19; James 1:22; 4:7; Matthew 6:33; 7:21; 11:28; 26:39; Proverbs 23:26; Romans 12:1-2)