In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
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 a few weeks as we pondered the cross. In the first half of this stanza, reflected on the blood and the beauty, these two things mingled down. In this second half, we remember what Jesus accomplished on that cross and how. Let’s think about this.
The Old Truth
The beauty the cross reveals to us is simply this: the King of all suffered and died to pardon and sanctify us.
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
He was righteous, and we were not. We deserved to be punished for our sins, He did not. Our sins had separated us from God, so He chose to be separated in our place. We could have never brought ourselves to God, so He did. Our response must be to put to death the things that would keep us from coming daily, that we may be made alive in the spirit as He was.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18 ESV
So what will your response be today? We are facing a pandemic. There is uncertainty and fear abounding. We are called to be light in this darkness. How will you do that? How will you live for Jesus today?
RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ponder how Jesus laid down His life for us. He put everything aside that was rightfully His to make it all ours. Think about that. (Pause) How can you mimic that in your life in these unusual days? There are some lessons to be learned now that will allow us each to be better reflectors of the love and life of Christ. Ask Him to show you one today and then pray for the ability to make it a part of your living.
Finding New Expression
So as forgiven or pardoned people, we are free to live differently than before.
Think about someone awaiting the punishment of their crime. Waiting day after day for the execution of judgment, whatever form that might take. Do you see the prisoner sitting there on the edge of the bed? Look closely. Can you see the prisoner is you?
To pardon and sanctify me.
What is the point of His pardoning you? Just your own freedom? Hardly.
Being sanctified means “set apart”. God has given His Son to pardon you so that you could be forgiven or pardoned AND sanctified. What purposes do you imagine you have been set apart for? His purposes, of course. And what are those? Pardoning as many as will believe, so rich is His grace to us.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 ESV
We have been redeemed. We have forgiveness. All grace.
Now what?
Be Resonant…so that along the way many may join your song of worship to the One who set you free.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ponder how you can respond to your pardon and sanctification today. You are forgiven. That forgiveness sets you apart for God’s purposes or redemption. What will that look like today as you share that with someone else in your unique way along your journey? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you and empower you to do it.
Jesus, thank You for binging this old truth alive in my life. I pray by Your grace and for Your glory it may find new expression in these challenging days. Help me cling to that old rugged cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Illuminated Thinking!
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Podcast 15.3 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.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:20 NKJV
His blood. He shed it to cover us, and our sins. Only His blood could do it, and He loved us enough to offer it to make peace between the Father and us. Amazing! Think about that sacrifice and what you need covered today. Then receive it and give Him praise.
A wondrous beauty I see,
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV
Others see bitter wounds but we see a wondrous beauty. The cross invites us to die to sin and live to righteousness, following the example of Jesus who died for sin after living the only righteous life. Is that what you see when you look at the cross? Ask for eyes to see.
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18 ESV
Jesus suffered and died. Close your eyes and imagine His body hanging on that cursed tree. Hanging there for you and me. Put to death in the flesh that we could be made alive in the spirit. As you come to God today, what needs to die that you may truly live?
To pardon and sanctify me.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 ESV
Forgiven and set apart by His finished work on the cross, and all according to the riches of His grace. When you think of what you need to die to today, and what you have needed to die to before, I pray you are amazed at His great love for you. Thank Him for it once more right now.
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.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
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 Set Apart, But For What? appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Jesus Suffered and Died – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-crucifix-christ-cross-faith-753063/
Pardon and Sanctify – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/cross-sunset-humility-devotion-4433376/
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