The Old Rugged Cross

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV).

 

Some images and memories seem to fade with the years only to come into clear focus just when I least expect it. Most of the time the memory will call to mind something that is just perfect for the moment I may find myself experiencing. As I was sitting at the computer writing today, such an experience found me. I have been writing Morning Devotionals since 1998. I don’t really know how many that adds up to; the math is somewhat daunting to me right now. What I do know is I have never purposefully repeated a devotional. Even in my five decades of preaching, recycling sermons was never a practice of mine. Of course, some of the Scriptures may have been the same, even the central truth may have been the same; but the words were always freshly studied and prepared for the audience and the time. The Scripture has always been fresh to me… why shouldn’t it be to my audience?

 

You may imagine that practice has given me trouble from time to time. After all these years, what do I need to say now? That seems to be the question as I began to write today’s devotional. Then, as if perfectly on cue, the Holy Spirit gave me a memory. It took place over fifty years ago. I was less than three months a believer. My pastor and first mentor, Bailey Stone, asked me to accompany him to a speaking engagement at a youth camp. The time was invaluable. We have hours of driving to reach the camp as well as the time spent interacting with the leaders and youth at the camp that evening. After arriving and the introductions to the others, we were taken to a small room where just a few people were seated around a large dining table. Food was set and I was asked to lead the prayer for the blessing at the meal. I don’t remember being anxious or intimidated, though I’m sure I was. What I remember most vividly was what happened just prior to my praying for the group. A young black student was with the group. He was asked to sing a favorite hymn as we began. In a deep baritone voice he began to sing “The Old Rugged Cross.” When he came to the part which goes “…I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday to a crown” it dawned on me that there was nothing more I need to do to gain eternal life. Jesus did it all… that was the first moment I really knew how amazing God’s grace was! Jesus “endured the cross, suffered the shame” (v. 3) for me! Saying the blessing for our food was no difficulty at all! His grace is so amazing!