FOLLOWING JESUS TO GOLGOTHA

MEMORY VERSE: “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.” – John 19:17
TEXT:Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 9:23; John 19:16-18; Mark 15:21 Hebrews 12:1-3; Philippians 2:5-8

INTRODUCTION

It is important for believers to understand that following Jesus does not stop at the point of miracles, blessings, or open doors. Of course, if the mindset of coming to Jesus is only upon achieving the mundane things of this world, then, a collapse, or exiting from the narrow way may be very easy. True discipleship follows Him even to Golgotha. Golgotha represents suffering, sacrifice, surrender, and ultimate obedience to God’s will. Many followed Jesus when He multiplied bread, healed the sick, and raised the dead. But very few followed Him to the cross. To follow Jesus to Golgotha means to follow Him into the place of death to self. It means embracing the cross daily. Jesus never hid the cost of discipleship. He made it clear that following Him would involve denial, suffering, and sometimes rejection.

Following Jesus to Golgotha is not a physical walk to a geographical location; it is a spiritual journey. It is a journey where your will dies and God’s will lives. It is a journey of transformation. It is where pride is crucified, flesh is subdued, and obedience becomes complete. It is a place of no-self-will, but ensuring the will of the master is done at all cost. Oh! The Golgotha is a place of no turning back, it’s a concluded decision to follow Jesus, while dying daily. Where are you with Jesus? Have you left the journey track? Are you sure of arriving at Golgotha or you are settled at the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, likely near Bethsaida to keep being spoon-fed? Think about it.

FOLLOWING JESUS TO GOLGOTHA IS A CALL TO SELF-DENIAL – Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23
Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

The first requirement of following Jesus to Golgotha is self-denial. Self-denial means surrendering personal ambition, personal comfort, and personal control. It means saying, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” Golgotha represents the place where self is crucified. You cannot carry your cross and still carry your ego. You cannot follow Jesus to the cross while preserving your pride. At Golgotha, you don’t have a life, it has been handed over, your choices and acts are born out of the master’s will.

Self-denial involves:

• Denying sinful desires.
• Denying selfish ambitions.
• Denying personal glory.
• Denying comfort when obedience demands sacrifice.
• Denying fear when faith calls for courage.

Following Jesus to Golgotha requires daily decisions. It is not once in a lifetime; it is everyday surrender.

FOLLOWING JESUS TO GOLGOTHA IS AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE
Philippians 2:8 “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Jesus obeyed the Father even when obedience led to suffering. Golgotha was not accidental; it was purposeful obedience. If Jesus had chosen comfort over obedience, redemption would not have happened.

To follow Him to Golgotha means we obey even when:

• It is inconvenient.
• It is painful.
• It is misunderstood.
• It attracts opposition.

Many want resurrection power, but few want crucifixion obedience. Yet there is no crown without a cross.

FOLLOWING JESUS TO GOLGOTHA MEANS SHARING IN HIS SUFFERINGS – Hebrews 12:2-3 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Mark 15:21 tells us about Simon of Cyrene who was compelled to carry the cross. Following Jesus sometimes means carrying burdens that are not convenient.

When we follow Jesus to Golgotha:

• We endure persecution.
• We endure rejection.
• We endure trials.
• We endure spiritual warfare.

We endure temporary pain for eternal glory. Suffering for Christ refines faith. It builds spiritual maturity. It produces endurance and character.

FOLLOWING JESUS TO GOLGOTHA IS CHOOSING GOD’S WILL OVER YOUR OWN -John 19:17 shows Jesus carrying His cross. No one forced Him; He willingly walked to Golgotha. Following Him means:

• Abandoning personal agenda.
• Accepting divine direction.
• Submitting to God’s sovereign plan.

When Saul encountered Jesus (Acts 9), his direction changed. When we truly follow Jesus to Golgotha, our plans change. Our priorities change. Our desires change. You cannot choose your own path and claim to follow a crucified Saviour.

FOLLOWING JESUS TO GOLGOTHA LEADS TO RESURRECTION GLORY
Golgotha was not the end. It was the gateway. Without Golgotha, there would be no empty tomb. Without sacrifice, there would be no victory. The cross precedes the crown.

Every believer who follows Jesus to Golgotha will experience:

• Spiritual transformation.
• Greater intimacy with God.
• Power over sin.
• Eternal reward.
• Resurrection victory.

CONCLUSION
Following Jesus to Golgotha is the highest expression of discipleship. It is more than church attendance. It is more than a confession. It is total surrender. Many followed Jesus to see miracles. Few followed Him to the cross. Today, Jesus still calls: “Take up your cross and follow Me.” The journey to Golgotha is not comfortable, but it is necessary. It is the road of sacrifice, obedience, and transformation. If we truly follow Him to Golgotha, we will also follow Him to resurrection glory. no-self-will, but ensuring the will of the master is done at all cost. Oh! The Golgotha is a place of no turning back, it’s a concluded decision to follow Jesus, while dying daily. Where are you with Jesus? Have you left the journey track? Are you sure of arriving Golgotha or you are settled at the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, likely near Bethsaida to keep being spoon-feed? Think about it.