{"id":69064,"date":"2019-01-01T22:07:18","date_gmt":"2019-01-01T19:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=69064"},"modified":"2026-03-26T17:34:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:34:20","slug":"the-way-of-the-cross","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/01\/01\/the-way-of-the-cross\/","title":{"rendered":"THE WAY OF THE CROSS"},"content":{"rendered":"

John 19:16\u201319 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cSo he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus,
\nand he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.
\nThere they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
\nPilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, \u2018Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Christ: The Exclusive Way to the Father<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jesus declared in John 14:6 (NIV)<\/strong>:
\n\u201cI am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.\u201d<\/p>\n

This statement is not merely devotional\u2014it is theologically exclusive<\/strong>. Christ is not a<\/em> way among many; He is the only way<\/strong>. This reflects the doctrine of the exclusivity of Christ in salvation<\/strong>, also affirmed in:<\/p>\n

Acts 4:12 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cAnd there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When Jesus says \u201cexcept through Me,\u201d<\/em> He is not referring to outward association, religious identity, or admiration. Rather, He speaks of union with Him<\/strong>, a participation in His life, His suffering, and His obedience.<\/p>\n

\n

The Meaning of \u201cThe Way\u201d \u2014 Not Admiration, but Participation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To better understand this, consider an analogy: a champion athlete does not produce successors through admiration but through imitation and discipline<\/strong>. Likewise, Christ calls us not merely to believe about<\/em> Him, but to follow His pattern of life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Theologically, this reflects the concept of discipleship as transformation<\/strong>, not mere affiliation:<\/p>\n

Romans 8:29 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cFor those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son\u2026\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To walk in \u201cHis way\u201d means to be conformed into His likeness\u2014spiritually, morally, and practically.<\/p>\n

\n

The Way of the Cross: Suffering Before Glory<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jesus did not reach glory apart from suffering. His path was marked by rejection, humiliation, and obedience unto death.<\/p>\n

Philippians 2:8\u20139 (NKJV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cAnd being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
\nTherefore God also has highly exalted Him\u2026\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This reflects a central biblical pattern:
\n\ud83d\udc49 Suffering precedes glory<\/strong>
\n\ud83d\udc49 Humility precedes exaltation<\/strong><\/p>\n

This same pattern applies to all who follow Christ:<\/p>\n

1 Peter 2:21 (ESV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cFor to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Taking Up the Cross: The Cost of Discipleship<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jesus made the cost of following Him unmistakably clear:<\/p>\n

Matthew 16:24\u201325 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cWhoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
\nFor whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To \u201ctake up the cross\u201d is not symbolic comfort\u2014it is a call to:<\/p>\n