There is a hymn written over 100 years ago by George Bennard, known as ‘The Old Rugged Cross’.
The first verse goes like this: ‘On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best, for a world of lost sinners was slain.’
As we have seen in the previous posts, the cross is the centre of all that God has done for us. It speaks of Jesus’ humility, obedience and death. To man the cross seemed foolish, yet God’s ways are so different! The humility and obedience of Jesus led to death on a cross, but the result was not defeat, rather it was victory. As we read in the book of Colossians, Jesus triumphed over principalities and powers by his death on the cross. Hallelujah!
Jesus says to his followers, “Take up your cross and follow me.” Over the centuries many have laid down their lives for the sake of the gospel. Each one who has done so, will receive a glorious welcome into Heaven. Jesus was not only speaking to those who would die for their faith, he was speaking to all of us. When we take up the cross, we are choosing to put self to death, and live for Christ alone. This is only possible when we humble ourselves daily and walk in obedience to God, just as Jesus did.
The death of Jesus led to victory. When we choose to ‘take up the cross’, we too will be empowered to live in victory over the evil one. We too will receive a glorious welcome into Heaven one day and live with him forevermore. This was all made possible through the cross. That old hymn ends with these words: ‘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.’
