Day 15 of our 47-day journey with Jesus to the cross.

Author & Voice: Chase Akin

When Peter draws his sword in Gethsemane, it seems like courage—but Jesus’ command to “put your sword back in its place” exposes a deeper misunderstanding about the nature of His Kingdom. The way of Christ is not advanced by self-reliant strength or anxious control, but by trust in the Father’s sovereign plan, even when it leads through suffering. In this episode, we confront our instinct to protect God with our own strategies and learn instead to surrender our swords, rest in His power, and follow the path of obedient faith.

Scripture

1. Matthew 26:51-52

Reflection Questions

1. Where in your life are you reaching for the sword instead of trusting God’s protection? What “kingdoms” are you trying to defend that God hasn’t asked you to fight for?
2. How does your typical response to crisis reveal what you really believe about God’s power and timing?

Kid-Friendly Question

1. When something scary happens, do you try to fix it yourself or ask for help? How can we remember that God is always bigger than our problems?

Spiritual Practice - Confession & Fasting

As you fast today, pay attention to what “swords” you instinctively reach for when discomfort hits. Use these confession prompts:

1. Write down three areas where you’ve been “stepping in front of God’s plan” with your own solutions. Confess specifically: “God, I’ve been trying to protect/control instead of trusting You with it.”

Day 14 of our 47-day journey with Jesus to the cross.

Author & Voice: Carlos Montoya

In the garden, Judas identifies Jesus not with a weapon, but with a kiss—an act meant to signify love, now twisted into betrayal. While Judas cloaks deception in affection and calls Him “Rabbi,” Jesus responds by calling him “friend,” revealing a heart that moves toward sinners even in the moment of treachery. This episode exposes the deceptive nature of sin and magnifies the greater truth of the gospel: the kiss that led to the cross became the doorway through which Christ bore our sins and made reconciliation possible.

Scripture

1. Matthew 26:47-50

Reflection Questions

1. Why did I circle the words in this passage? What do they say about what God is speaking to me?
2. How have I sinned and tried to mask it behind something good?
3. How does Jesus’ response to this betrayal challenge my understanding of forgiveness?

Kid-Friendly Question

1. What is your definition of a friend? Jesus calls us friends. How does that make you feel?

Spiritual Practice - Prayer

Spend some time asking God to reveal areas in your life where you have sinned and have masked them behind an action that you are using to justify your sin. Once He reveals these to you, spend some time praying and thanking God for the forgiveness of sins. A great practice is journaling your prayers to God, as He will continue to speak to you and reveal more of Him and your sin in your life that He is asking you to give over to Him.

Day 13 of our 47-day journey with Jesus to the cross.

Author: Elizabeth Parks

Voice: Molly Inskeep

As Jesus stands before an unjust tribunal, what appears to be weakness is actually restrained power and unwavering obedience. In declaring Himself the Son of Man who will be “seated at the right hand of Power,” Jesus points beyond the cross to His exaltation, victory, and coming glory. This episode reminds us that through union with Christ, believers share in that risen position—anchored not in present darkness, but in the eternal triumph of the One who reigns.

Scripture

1. Matthew 26:57-64, Ephesians 2:4-6

Reflection Questions

1. How do you think the disciples must have felt as they watched Jesus on trial before the high priest?
2. What situations in your life make you feel helpless or hopeless?
3. Never forget that this life is not the end of the story. Eternity awaits us, and no eye has seen, no ear has heard what awaits us there. Hope is never lost! What feels heavy or hopeless in your life right now? How does that situation change when you truly believe that eternity is your reality?

Kid-Friendly Question

1. How do you think Jesus felt when people said mean or untrue thingsabout Him?
2. Heaven is our forever home! What do you think heaven will be like? How does thinking about heaven make you feel better when things are hard?

Spiritual Practice - Meditation & Memorization

Spend some time memorizing and meditating on these verses:

“But God, being rich in mercy becauseof the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-6