The Way of The Cross 

Part 1: The Way of The Seed

March 8th, 2026

John 12:23–25 (NLT) 23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

1. We must learn the .

John 12:24 (NLT) 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.

• There are  in the darkness.

Matthew 27:45-46 (NLT) 45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

• You must learn to differently.

(John 11:16) Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of 
the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

2. There are .

John 12:24 (NLT) 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.

Matthew 12:40 (NLT) For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

Matthew 16:21 (NLT) From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

Matthew 17:23 (NLT) He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

Matthew 20:19 (NLT) Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

Matthew 26:61 (NLT) who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

Matthew 27:63 (NLT) They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’

3. There is .

Matthew 27:59-60 (NLT) 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.