On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
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
Listen to this simple piano version as you read. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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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.
We Love the Cross
We left off Tuesday with the words that remind us of the suffering and shame the cross is designed to induce. And induce it does. It is a very effective means of capital punishment, inflicting excruciating pain on the subject until their breathing becomes gradually more labored until they can breath no more.
But we love the cross. What’s up with that!?!
For those of who realize what Jesus did for us there, the cross becomes a symbol not of suffering and shame, but of sacrifice and obedience. Jesus, the Dearest and Best, willingly went to that cross to fulfill the wrath of God according to the will of God.
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
The Darling of Heaven, as another songwriter described Him, left the glory of God where He had existed eternally to suffer the humiliating death of the cross.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 ESV
RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ponder who He is, who He has been eternally. Set that next to what He endured, and the reality that He was the only one ever born who did not deserve to endure the penalty of sin. Allow your heart to soak in the wonder of these two truths.
But So Should the World
Of course, we love the cross because we know who it represents. But much of the world does not. This is sad.
Think about that. People see the cross. Many wear it. But most truly do not realize what really happened there.
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
This is why Jesus commissioned us to make disciples. We need to let the world know that though our sin has separated us from God, the cross has reunited to Him all who believe.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV
I have a friend who sends me a message most every morning reminding me to spread God’s love with at least one person that day. It is a simple reminder of a practice that should be a part of my life every day, but sadly isn’t always. But how do we change that.
I think the answer is in how we feel about the cross. If we truly cherish it, clinging to it because it is so precious to us, we will be more likely to tell others about it. This thought gives new meaning to Jesus’ teaching to “take up our cross daily”.
Imagine carrying a cross even the size of a book around with you all day, every day. People would likely ask you about it, even if you did not lead with it, unless of course every Christian carried one around. How remarkable would that be? And how long would it take for the the world to have heard from many of us why it means so much to us?
RESONATE!
How can you take up your cross today? What practical things could you do to allow the cross to mark your life? It might not even be the physical symbol or shape of the cross, but hopefully the expression will be just a meaningful. Think about it, then do it.
Jesus, thank You for going to the cross to die for the world, lost sinners though we were. I love Your cross. Help me to live my life finding practical ways to take it up so that I can share it’s value with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Clinging Thinking!
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Podcast 15.1 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.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
And he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. John 19:17 ESV
Up the long dusty road to Calvary we trace the footsteps of Jesus. It was years before any of us were here, but we read the accounts and we imagine the hill and the cross and we stand amazed. Thank Jesus for that old rugged cross where He went bearing the weight of our sins.
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 ESV
We see the cross and recognize it as a symbol of suffering and shame, but it also represents so much more to us. What it symbolizes gives us joy for Jesus endured this emblem with a joy of His own, despising the shame. Ponder what it portrays for you.
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 ESV
The Dearest and Best. What a simple yet beautiful way to describe our Savior! We love Him for His obedience to His Father, to the point of death. Existing eternally in sublime glory He humbled Himself for God’s glory and our good. Tell Him how you love the cross.
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV
The cross of Jesus Christ makes it possible for sinners, separated from God by our sin, to be made right with Him. So we cherish it and cling to it, for it represents to us life eternal. Commit to live your life to bring Him praise and purpose to offer it all to Him one day.
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.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
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 awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Resonant.
The post Loving and Living Under the Cross appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Dearest and Best – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-jesus-wood-church-christ-78000/
For a World of Lost Sinners – https://pixabay.com/photos/christ-cross-faith-jesus-passion-3484141/
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