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
Listen to this simple piano version as you read. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.
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Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We begin our journey toward Easter this week as we ponder the cross. In the first half of this stanza, we will bring our hearts up the hill of Calvary and down to the foot of the cross. This torture device represents something to cherish for those who see it for what it truly is. Let’s tune our hearts.
Despised by the Perishing
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
It is hard for us to imagine why the world would despise the cross. What did Jesus do to deserve this rejection? Nothing. Quite the contrary. What He did should have made Him esteemed and adored. So what’s deal?
Without a willingness to embrace what the Holy Spirit reveals about Jesus, the carnal mind can not see the beauty of the cross. It simply sees a misunderstood teacher, a mad man, a would be prophet. Oh, how wrong is that estimation. Yet it is exactly what Isaiah prophesied would happen centuries before the Messiah came.
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. Jesus was despised as the Scripture clearly shows, and because the cross is the symbol of Christ’s sacrifice, the cross is despised. Man of sorrows indeed.
Another hymn writer spoke of His sorrows like this.
“Man of Sorrows!” what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
And so we lend our voices to the glorious refrain, “Hallelujah! What a Savior!” It is that saving work that empowers our praise. Beefore we explore that though, take a few moments and ponder the rejection Jesus endured for you.
Consider how well-acquainted with grief He was. How He should have been esteemed but instead was despised. After you have thought about that for a few moments, thank Jesus for embracing the sorrow for you.
Cherished by the Saved
Though the world, those who are perishing my view the cross with disdain, nothing could be further from the truth for those are being saved. The cross is beautiful to us. It has an incredible allure.
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
The difference in these two perspectives is not only a matter of life and death, but is driven by that very reality.
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
To the world, the cross is a symbol of death, and so that is all the more is can be to them. To them the cross is death, and even foolishness for they see the One who claimed to be the Son of God die there, and it make no sense to them.
To those who are being saved, the cross is a symbol of life, and so it changes everything to them. To them the cross is life, for it demonstrates the very power of God to satisfy His wrath in the sacrifice of His Son, and it fills their hearts with worship.
So what does the cross symbolize to you? Death or 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. Then give Him praise for His Wonderful Cross.
Jesus, thank You for enduring the sorrow of the cross and transforming a symbol of death into one of life. Thank You for going me eyes of faith to see it as such. Empower me to help others see it that way too. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Wondrous Tuning!
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Video 15.2 Transcript
Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.
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.
The Romans used crucifixion not only for capital punishment but as a torture and humiliation device. It was certainly despised then. But because it serves as a symbol of self denial and sacrifice it continues to be despised today by some. How do you view the cross?
Though the world despises the cross, those who have found redemption and reconciliation at the foot of it are attracted to it and it’s wondrous demonstration of love. Ask God to speak that wondrous attraction into your soul right now.
So far did Jesus condescend not only to become one of us, but to become sin for us on the cross, it certainly defies comprehension apart from the work of the Spirit in our lives. Thank the Lamb of God right now for leaving His glory above to do the will of His Father.
Jesus cried out from the cross because He felt the Father turn his face away from Him as He took the sin of the world upon His shoulders. Calvary was dark because Jesus bore the weight of the cross and all our sin that we may be welcomed into the light. Praise His name!
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.
Sing
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 What’s Your View of the Cross? Despised or Cherished appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Despised by the World – https://pixabay.com/photos/cemetery-black-death-halloween-1215012/
Wondrous Attraction – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/cross-faith-was-christian-4885491/
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