Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
The Old Rugged Cross (1913)
By: George Bennard 1873 – 1958
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Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We began our journey toward Easter this week as we ponder the cross. In the first half of this stanza, we remembered the suffering and shame Jesus endured on the cross and our response. In this second half, we remember what Jesus accomplished on that cross and for whom. Let’s think about this.
Unimaginable Light
If we are to rightly appreciate the darkness Jesus endured on the cross, we must remember what He left behind to do so.
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
Jesus, the one who would take away the sins of the world, had to leave the unimaginable wonder of heaven where He had existed eternally to become one of us. He had to become one of us so He could offer His life as a ransom. He had to offer HIs life as a ransom because we were separated from God, something that had never been true of Him, but would also never be more true than the moment of Hid death.
What did that glory above look like?
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb Revelation 22:1 ESV
Let us just consider one image. You may have seen the sparkling waters of a mountain stream. For me it is the babbling brook and the light glistening off the waters as they dance around the rocks creating glimmering surfaces to reflect the light of the sun. You might be able to describe that memory as John did by describing the water similarly but I have a feeling the river John saw was more like crystal than anything we an imagine.
Ever aspect of glory is beyond what we can imagine. The air, the smell, the sounds, everything. Still that did not deter Jesus from leaving it all behind to take on the weakness of humanity.
John the Baptist used this title to identify Him, and then went on to declare what He would accomplish by laying down His life, taking away the sins of the world. If that were not remarkable enough, consider what He left behind to do it. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ponder what the glory of heaven must be like. Maybe it is not the river of the water of life, but some other aspect that has always intrigued you. Jesus had dwelt there eternally, and it was a reflection of His greatness and glory, still He left that unimaginable light to shatter our darkness. Ask Him to reveal some aspect of that right now.
Incomprehensible Darkness
It is against the backdrop of this light that the story of the cross unfolds. We can not appreciate the darkness of the cross without remembering what Jesus left behind in order to endure it for the glory of God and our good. This comes to bear on our current circumstances as well.
It against the backdrop of the goodness of God that the story of this pandemic unfolds. We can not rightly comprehend the purposes of God without remembering what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. We are facing some tremendous uncertainty in these days, but this is no surprise to our Lord, and He faced much deeper darkness to give us peace in circumstances like this.
One of the most interesting dynamics of this virus is the universal nature of it. Famous people have been effected, ordinary people too. Professional athletes have tested positive, but so have folks who lack those abilities. Rich and poor, influential and common. This darkness has come to us all.
Jesus went to the cross, not only the bear the sins of every person, but to show us He is willing to meet every one of us at our point of greatest need. For many of you reading, you know this to be true because it was your experience. Not everyone watching this unfold have that same knowledge. It is up to us to live it, and share it as He enables.
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Maybe you are facing something even darker than the corona virus. Walk in that darkness knowing Jesus is with you. He knows pain and suffering. He knows what it is like to go through something you do not deserve. So let Him help you. There is a purpose in that darkness.
And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Luke 23:33 NKJV
RESONATE!
His amazing love for us, demonstrated by walking through His darkness with His heart resolved to bring glory to the Father, sets an example for us. It also quietly demands that we follow His divine example by offering Him our souls, our lives, our all. What will that look like for you and the darkness you are facing today? Ask Jesus to show you.
Jesus, thank You for leaving the unimaginable light of heaven to illumine our incomprehensible darkness. Bring that same presence to bear in each of our lives today. We need to see You, and have Your light inform even the darkness we are facing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Illuminated Thinking!
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Podcast 15.2 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 ESV
The cross is despised by association because Jesus was despised. He was the Son of God, yet became a man of sorrows for our sake and the glory of His Father. He was rejected so we might be accepted, forsaken so we might be forgiven. Hallelujah! What a Savior! Praise Him.
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV
The world despises His cross, but we adore it. It is folly and shame to those who are dying, but to us it is the most wonderful symbol of power and life. Draw near by His grace and bless the name of Jesus, the One who bids you to come and die and find that you may truly live.
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb Revelation 22:1 ESV
John the Baptist used this title to identify Him, and then went on to declare what He would accomplish by laying down His life, taking away the sins of the world. If that were not remarkable enough, consider what He left behind to do it. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice.
To bear it to dark Calvary.
And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Luke 23:33 NKJV
Crucified between two criminals. Condescended from glory above. Despised by the world. Attracting us to a life of self-denial. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. Commit everything you are to Him again today as you cling to the cross.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Resonant.
The post Finding Purpose in the Darkness appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Lamb of God – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/chalice-cup-lamb-god-eucharist-4718251/
Bright as Crystal – https://pixabay.com/photos/stream-wilderness-water-river-1865419/
Dark Calvary – https://pixabay.com/photos/moon-crosses-easter-faith-calvary-4777866/
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