THE TRUE SUFFERING CAN'T BE SEEN
On Good Friday we mark the date when Jesus took upon Himself the
sinfulness of all who would come to God through Him. The beating He
endured, the spikes, the crown of thorns, the humiliation, the thirst,
the injustice, all of it was horrible. But the true suffering of the
cross was that the pure, sinless Son of God became a sin offering for
you and me nailed upon an old rugged cross. I don't know how He could have willingly allowed Himself to suddenly
become as filthy as the most evil murderer, as vile as the most base
harlot, as guilty as the greediest thief, and as far removed from the
Heavenly Father as a soul could ever be? But in that moment when, on the
old rugged cross He cried "Why have you forsaken me?" He paid for your
sins and for mine. He paid for it all because, as a sinless substitute,
He took our guilt upon himself. We can portray the psychical suffering Jesus endured at Calvary
through magnificent works of art. But who among us could ever reveal
even the smallest whisper of a glimpse into the suffering of the soul of
our precious Savior on that Good Friday so long ago?
Jerry H. Miller
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
George Bennard
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.
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 some day for a crown.
O 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 some day for a crown.
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 some day for a crown.
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
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 some day for a crown.
1 Corinthians 1:18
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."
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