This week in our Hope Rising Series, we are going to look at the Cross and the Grave. This morning, let me take you through an overview of Jesus Road to the cross. We pick up in the story in Matthew 26.

This powerful moment in the Gospels gave the appearance to the disciples that all was lost, even though Jesus had told them this moment would come.
Their hope was for Jesus to overthrow Rome and reestablish the power of kingdom rule to Israel. The people had anticipated a political and military leader, like King David, to deliver them from oppression, but He chose a way they didn’t expect.

Instead of the conquering king they expected, Jesus being betrayed by Judas Iscariot and has now been arrested and taken before the High Priest, the scribes, and the chief elders (Matthew 26:57). The chief priests, the elders, and the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.

Yet when put under oath, being asked if He was the Christ Jesus, he responds by saying, Matthew 26:64 “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus’s response caused the high priest to tear his clothes and accuse Jesus of speaking blasphemy, even though it was the truth. The result of this moment was the beginning of His road to the Cross.

The High Priest and others began to spit in His face and strike Him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?

In Matthew 27, we see Jesus being handed over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of the city, and is now being questioned by Pilate concerning the charges that were put against Him.

Pilate, recognizing that they delivered Him due to jealousy and looks to release Jesus, but the religious leaders cry out instead for His death.

He looks to give them another opportunity to release Jesus through a custom where He released one prisoner to the people. But instead of releasing Jesus, they chose to release a murderer named Barabbas.

When Pilate asked the people what they should do with Jesus, they responded, Let Him be crucified. To keep from having a riot, Pilate delivers Jesus to be scourged and ultimately crucified.

What a moment of complete disbelief and shock! This is not what the disciples thought would happen. They see their hope beaten, bloodied, His flesh torn from His body by scourging, and now they have nailed him to a cross.

Imagine what was going through their minds as the scene unfolded in front of them. Thinking to themselves, this is not how it was supposed to be. Then the moment came that none of them wanted.

Matthew 27:50, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.”

I could only imagine their thoughts in this moment. The shock and disbelief that Jesus was dead. Were their emotions swirling with confusion, anger, or disappointment? Did they feel abandoned or fearful for their future? The people knew they had been disciples of Jesus.

Then, to add to what they were experiencing when Jesus died, there was an earthquake, and darkness covered the land like night at a time when there should have been daylight. Rocks were split, and the veil of the temple was torn in two, and many bodies of saints who had fallen asleep were raised.

There were so many pieces to this scenario that it must have been tough to comprehend. They, without a doubt, had to be filled with immense uncertainty. Yet something I think is important about this story is that no amount of uncertainty changes who God is or His plan.

Even while the disciples watched the scene unfold in disbelief, God knew exactly what He was doing. His plan is seen in every detail.

Remember that I shared with you how Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Passover lamb. He was without blemish and crucified at the exact time of the lamb offerings. As Jesus was being crucified, another prophecy was being fulfilled as they cast lots for His clothing.

The plan of God is seen in the details of the story. How many times do we experience the same? We have difficulty seeing through what is happening in front of us, and we think God is absent in all of it, but in reality, He is in control.

Even in the in-between, God was in control. Joseph of Arimathea asked for the body of Jesus to bury Him before the Sabbath Matthew 27:62.

You ready for this detail? God planned for the execution of Jesus to take place on the day before the sabbath, knowing that the Jews would have to honor the Sabbath rest. It’s crazy when you think about it. He planned the Greatest Sacrifice in the history of the world on their day off.

To honor the Sabbath, they couldn’t do anything about what they had just experienced. Do you think they were relieved for a moment to catch their breath because of what they had just lived through? Or did they feel impatient and anxious under the commandment, wishing they could do something, anything, to undo the horror of the past 48 hours?

I’m sure to them like it does to us rest and silence seem illogical in a situation like that, but in reality, it’s what was needed. Those who followed Jesus were called to a place of rest because it was Christ who was doing the work, not them.

Christ was at work taking back the keys of death, hell, and the grave. He was the one who was reclaiming what was lost, and while Christ warred, they rested.
While they sat in silence, lost in their thoughts and emotions, disillusioned. Jesus was busy destroying the works of the enemy so that He might regain the authority Adam lost.

Have you ever felt like you are in a silent Saturday moment? The moment in between, where the prayer hasn’t yet been answered, or you find yourself right in the middle of unexpected trauma or grief.

And you sit there in the silence, wounded and confused, filled with uncertainty about what is to come. Can I simply encourage you in the silence?

Don’t give up and don’t quit. Even when all looks hopeless, Jesus is working in ways you can’t see. His ways are higher than our ways. Let’s lean in by faith today and trust that His plan for you is good.

Can I challenge you with something today? Don’t bail before the victory! Put your trust in the Lord. Let Him make all things new. Stay connected. Keep trusting. Keep Praying.

Keep seeking for personal Encounter. Learn how to rest in the period of waiting. Do like it says in Exodus 14:13, “Stand still and see the salvation of your God.”

A few final thoughts:
1. Redefining the "Silence" of God
We can often equate God’s silence with His absence. Yet, as seen in the Grave, silence is often the sound of God at work behind the scenes. Silence is not a sign of indifference; it is a season of preparation.

2. Relinquishing the "specific” Expectation
The disciples wanted a king who would overthrow Rome; God gave them a Savior who would overthrow Death. God’s outcomes are not always what we thought it would be. We must learn to trust His plan. Don't let your "expected" outcome blind you to God’s "better" outcome.

3. The Power of "Sabbath Rest" in Crisis
We cannot "work" our way out of a "Grave" moment; only Christ can do the heavy lifting of resurrection. Striving will leave you frustrated. Learn to rest in the finish work of Christ.

4. Don’t "Bail" on the Eve of Victory
Had the disciples completely walked away on Saturday, they would have missed the glory of Sunday. The darkest hour is often the one immediately preceding the dawn.
• The Challenge: If you are tempted to quit—on your marriage, your ministry, your faith, or your calling—commit to "staying in the room" for one more day. Don't let a temporary Saturday cause you to forfeit an eternal Sunday.

5. Trusting the "Details" in the Chaos
If God was in the details of the Cross, He is in the details of your unexpected moments too. Let His previous examples encourage you to trust him in the uncertainties of life.