At The Foot Of The Cross


I like a lot of the old classic hymns, but there is one that I struggle to sing – The Old Rugged Cross.  I understand that George Bennard’s masterpiece has an allure to a lot of people, but honestly, there are some phrases that get stuck in my mind and in my heart.  I find it hard to vocalize that “I love that old cross” or that I can see its “wondrous beauty”.  No, I don’t have any scriptural issues with the song, nor do I feel we should stop singing it – it’s just not one of my favorites.
While I may struggle with Mr. Bennard’s description of the cross, I do appreciate the imagery of emotionally standing at the foot of the cross and being reminded of its lessons.  When I look at the cross, here are a few things I notice:
1).  My inability to be personally successful in life.  Everything I have and everything I hope for comes from Jesus.  Whether it is internal peace or external success, it all dependent upon His work in my life.  Yet, my greatest failure comes in my inability to save myself.  The cross reminds me, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God ...” (Ephesians 2:8).
2).  The darkness of the depravity of man.  If humans will crucify the pure and perfect Son of God who came to save us from our own sin, just how low can we go.  We hear the question, “How can someone shoot up a school and kill a dozen children?” – that quandary is answered at the cross.  Left to its own devices (and prompted by satan’s temptations) humanity can be evil!  To me, the lesson found at the cross is a reminder that I must remain vigil or I might end up on the side of darkness.  The people who killed Jesus were the “religious leaders” of the day!  As I look at the cross I am reminded, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” (I Corinthians 10:12).
3).  The nature of God’s love.  There is a wretchedness in a human race that would not only reject God’s offering of peace, but would brutally return it to Him bloodied and battered – and crucified.  Yet, even that offensive gesture was not enough to stop His love for us.  We killed His Son, but He still loves us.  It is inconceivable that, “... God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16), but He does. 
In a sense, I understand Mr. Bennard’s affection for the cross.  No, he is not drawn to the beauty of the wooden tool of execution, rather to what it symbolizes for him.  As he said, it is an “emblem of suffering and shame” – not for Jesus, the holy sacrifice; but us, the sinners.

Popular posts from this blog

Having A Dream

On August 28, 1963, in Washington D. C., Dr. Martin Luther King addressed the crowd that gathered for the March On Washington For Jobs And Freedom in what became one of the most famous and impassioned speeches during the Civil Rights Era.  The treatise, often referred to as the “I Have A Dream” Speech, addressed King’s assessment of the way African-Americans had been treated and the mission he was on to promote civil equality.  Through the years many people have quoted Dr. King’s remarks and, this weekend, as our nation prepares to honor his memory, I would like share a few of my favorite excerpts:  “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.  I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” … “I have a dre...
Read more

The Uncertainty Of Life

1958 was a challenging year in Cuba.  Revolutionary forces were active throughout the island nation while the ruling dictator, Fulgencio Batista, struggled to maintain control.  In spite of the underlying political tensions Havana continued to be the entertainment capital of the Caribbean.  Hotels, casinos and opulent shows were readily available just a few miles off of the southern coast of Florida.  New Year’s Eve 1958 probably began like many others – a night of celebration, entertainment and debauchery – but before the sun rose on the “Pearl of the Caribbean” the history of the Western Hemisphere was changed forever.  In the early morning hours of January 1, 1959 Batista fled Cuba and opened the door for Fidel Castro to come to power.  I am fascinated by the history of Cuba, especially the first three quarters of the 20 th Century; yet, this event is more than a historical fact, it also offers a spiritual warning:  Life Is Fluid.  It is ...
Read more

The Gospel Truth

During a recent Communion Service Scripture reading I was struck by a portion of John 19.  I am sure that I have read it scores of times, but this time it really got me to thinking.  When John recorded the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion he wrote, “ And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.” (John 19:35).   In the midst of making some incredible claims about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus John pauses to say, “believe me”!   As I got to thinking about the importance of this statement it reminded me that we all have to be honest with the gospel – not just John (whose words would transcend time) – but every one of us.   Even though we have the written Word available to us today, we must treat it with honesty and we must be transparently truthful when discussing it.   So, how do we make this happen? 1.   We must know what the Bible say...
Read more