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About this journey

A journey is a short, themed path through Scripture, one day at a time: a passage to read, a short reflection, a question to journal on and a prayer.

Start at day 1 and go at your own pace — your progress and private journal are saved on this device and synced if you sign in. A “Beta” tag means a pastor has not reviewed the journey yet.

Guided journey · 40 days

Lent: 40 Days to the Cross

Lent is forty days of returning to God. Walk with Jesus from the wilderness of temptation, through his calls to follow, his encounters and teaching, and finally to Jerusalem and the cross. Take it slowly, and let each day draw you closer to the One who gave himself for you.

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The days

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Show all 40 day titles
  1. Day 1: Return to meJoel 2:12-17God invites his people to return with all their heart — rending hearts, not just garments — because he is gracious, merciful and abounding in steadfast love.
  2. Day 2: A clean heartPsalms 51:11-17David asks God not to cast him away but to restore the joy of salvation; God desires a broken and contrite heart more than empty ritual.
  3. Day 3: Not by bread aloneMatthew 4:1-4Led into the wilderness and hungry, Jesus resists the tempter by trusting that we live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
  4. Day 4: Do not test GodMatthew 4:5-7The tempter twists Scripture to push Jesus to force God's hand; Jesus refuses to put God to the test and trusts without demanding proof.
  5. Day 5: Worship God aloneMatthew 4:8-11Offered all the kingdoms of the world, Jesus refuses a shortcut that bypasses the cross and declares that God alone is to be worshipped and served.
  6. Day 6: Tempted like usHebrews 4:14-16Our great high priest was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin, so we can come boldly to the throne of grace for mercy and help.
  7. Day 7: Good news to the poorLuke 4:16-21In his hometown synagogue Jesus reads from Isaiah and announces his mission: good news to the poor, freedom for captives, sight for the blind.
  8. Day 8: Launch out into the deepLuke 5:1-11After a fruitless night, Peter obeys Jesus' word, sees an overwhelming catch, falls down aware of his sin, and leaves everything to follow.
  9. Day 9: Born againJohn 3:1-8Jesus tells Nicodemus, a respected teacher, that no one can see God's kingdom without being born again by the Spirit — a new beginning only God can give.
  10. Day 10: God so lovedJohn 3:14-21As the bronze serpent was lifted up in the wilderness, the Son must be lifted up on the cross, because God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.
  11. Day 11: Living waterJohn 4:7-15Jesus crosses social barriers to speak with a Samaritan woman at a well, offering living water that becomes a spring welling up to eternal life.
  12. Day 12: The bread of lifeJohn 6:35-40Jesus declares he is the bread of life; whoever comes to him will not hunger, and he will never cast out anyone the Father gives him.
  13. Day 13: The truth shall make you freeJohn 8:31-36Jesus says that those who continue in his word will know the truth and be made free; whoever sins is a slave, but the Son sets people truly free.
  14. Day 14: I was blind, now I seeJohn 9:1-7Instead of blaming the blind man or his parents, Jesus says his life will display the works of God, and he gives him sight.
  15. Day 15: Who do you say I am?Luke 9:18-22After praying alone, Jesus asks his disciples who they say he is; Peter confesses 'the Christ of God', and Jesus begins to speak of his suffering.
  16. Day 16: Take up your crossLuke 9:23-27Following Jesus means denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily; whoever loses life for his sake will truly find it.
  17. Day 17: Do not look backLuke 9:57-62Jesus meets would-be followers with honest words about the cost; discipleship cannot be delayed or half-hearted.
  18. Day 18: Counting the costLuke 14:25-33Like a builder or a king planning wisely, would-be disciples must count the cost, putting Jesus above every other loyalty.
  19. Day 19: The lost sheepLuke 15:1-7Jesus welcomes sinners and tells of a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep, and of heaven's joy over one who repents.
  20. Day 20: The elder brotherLuke 15:25-32The older son refuses to join the celebration for his returned brother; the father goes out to him too, inviting him into grace.
  21. Day 21: God be merciful to meLuke 18:9-14The proud Pharisee boasts while the tax collector beats his breast and asks for mercy; it is the humble one who goes home justified.
  22. Day 22: Today salvation has comeLuke 19:1-10Jesus calls Zacchaeus down from the tree and goes to his home; grace transforms him into a generous man who makes things right.
  23. Day 23: The good shepherdJohn 10:11-18Jesus is the good shepherd who knows his sheep and freely lays down his life for them — no one takes it from him; he gives it.
  24. Day 24: Lazarus, come forthJohn 11:38-44At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus prays, calls the dead man out, and tells those around to unbind him — a sign pointing ahead to his own victory over death.
  25. Day 25: A grain of wheatJohn 12:23-28Jesus speaks of his hour: a grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die to bear much fruit; though troubled, he prays, 'Father, glorify thy name.'
  26. Day 26: Going up to JerusalemLuke 18:31-34Jesus tells the Twelve plainly that he will suffer, die and rise again, yet they cannot understand — the way of the cross is hidden from them.
  27. Day 27: Face like a flintIsaiah 50:4-9The servant of the Lord listens morning by morning, does not turn back from suffering and sets his face like a flint, trusting that God will help him.
  28. Day 28: Despised and rejectedIsaiah 53:1-6The suffering servant is despised and acquainted with grief; he carried our sorrows and was wounded for our transgressions, and by his stripes we have peace with God.
  29. Day 29: As a lambIsaiah 53:7-12The servant goes silently like a lamb to the slaughter, bears the sin of many and makes intercession for transgressors.
  30. Day 30: This is my bodyLuke 22:14-20At the Passover meal Jesus gives bread and cup new meaning: his body given and his blood poured out — the new covenant in his blood.
  31. Day 31: The greatest servesLuke 22:24-30Even at the Last Supper the disciples argue about greatness; Jesus says the greatest is the one who serves, for he is among them as one who serves.
  32. Day 32: I have prayed for theeLuke 22:31-34Jesus warns Peter of coming failure but tells him, 'I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not,' and speaks of his restoration in advance.
  33. Day 33: Not my willLuke 22:39-46In the garden Jesus prays in anguish, 'Not my will, but thine, be done,' and urges his sleeping disciples to pray so they do not fall into temptation.
  34. Day 34: Betrayed with a kissLuke 22:47-53Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss; even under arrest, Jesus heals the ear of the high priest's servant and refuses violence.
  35. Day 35: The Lord turned and lookedLuke 22:54-62Peter denies Jesus three times; when the rooster crows, the Lord turns and looks at him, and Peter goes out and weeps bitterly.
  36. Day 36: Before Pilate and HerodLuke 23:1-12Jesus is falsely accused, questioned by Pilate and mocked by Herod, yet he remains silent and steady — the innocent one standing trial for us.
  37. Day 37: Barabbas goes freeLuke 23:18-25The crowd demands the release of Barabbas, a guilty man, while Jesus is handed over — a picture of the guilty set free because the innocent takes their place.
  38. Day 38: Daughters of JerusalemLuke 23:26-31Simon of Cyrene carries the cross behind Jesus, and on the way to Calvary Jesus turns to the weeping women, still thinking of others in his suffering.
  39. Day 39: Into thy handsLuke 23:44-49Darkness covers the land, the temple veil is torn, and Jesus cries, 'Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit' — the way to God is opened.
  40. Day 40: Waiting at the tombLuke 23:50-56Joseph of Arimathea lays Jesus in a new tomb, and the women prepare spices and rest on the Sabbath — the silent waiting between death and resurrection.