No Cross, No Crown

Pdt. Paulus Pujianto, M.Th | Resurrection of Jesus Services | Sunday, 05th April 2026

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Passover : No Cross, No Crown

Everyone wants the crown, but not everyone wants the cross.
The world teaches:

  • Success without effort
  • Glory without suffering
  • Results without sacrifice

But the passover says: There is no crown without the cross.

Luke 24:25-26 (NKJV)
25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”


“Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer all that to enter into his glory?”
Keyword: Must

  • Not a choice
  • Not a coincidence
  • But God’s plan


Cross -> Process / Crown -> Result

Without cross:

  • No redemption
  • No restoration
  • No glory


(1) The Necessity of the Cross

Luke 24:26 (NKJV)
26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”

  • The cross was no accident
  • The cross was God’s plan

Jesus was not “trapped” on the cross.
Jesus came specifically to be crucified.


Why a cross?

  • Because sin must be atoned for
  • Because God’s justice must be upheld
  • Because God’s love must be revealed

The Cross = The intersection of justice and love.
Without the cross, there is no forgiveness of sins; without sacrifice, there is no path to peace with the Father.


In our lives, God allows “the cross” to happen:

  • A difficult process
  • Rejection
  • Disappointment
  • Struggle

The cross was not meant to destroy, but to shape.
We are called to understand that spiritual growth and maturity often require self-denial.


(2) Faithfulness in Suffering

Luke 24:26 (NKJV)
26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”

Jesus knows:

  • Will be tortured
  • Will be rejected
  • Will die

But He remained obedient.

In Gethsemane: He remained obedient
At the trial: He remained silent
On the cross: He continued to love -> “Father, forgive them…”

This is not human strength, but perfect love.


A test of our faith

Every time at:

  • Unanswered prayers
  • Things haven’t changed
  • Life feels unfair

True faith: Remaining faithful even when it’s uncomfortable.
The cross is not the end! Many people stop at Good Friday, but those who believe continue on to Passover.


(3) The Glory of the Resurrection

Luke 24:26 (NKJV)
26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”

  • The cross is not defeat
  • The grave is not the end

Resurrection = Victory


What does resurrection mean?

  • Death has been defeated
  • Sin has been defeated
  • The devil has been defeated

Jesus lives -> our hope lives


Because He has risen:

  • We have hope
  • Our future is certain
  • No suffering is in vain

Every cross we bear will lead to glory.


Passover Message

  • Don’t run away from the cross
  • Don’t give up along the way
  • Don’t stop at suffering

For behind the cross lies the resurrection.
With Christ: Cross -> Resurrection -> Glory.

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