“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.” – Luke 23:33, NKJV

In 2012, the popular hymn, ‘Old Rugged Cross’ marked its 100^th anniversary.

Evangelist George Bennard wrote the song to testify of his adoration of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross to save the world.

My favourite verse is; “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.”

Calvary was a dreadful place, the so-called ‘place of the skull,’ and for obvious reasons.

It was well-known as the traditional place where offenders were humiliated, scorned and executed.

A day earlier, Christ had unsuccessfully asked the Father to spare Him from going to that place.

So, when He finally got there, heaven celebrated; the ultimate price for mankind’s redemption was going to be paid, finally. 

That’s exactly why we’re what we’re today – redeemed, forgiven and declared children of God.  Praise the Lord!

However, the message of the Cross was also a common theme in Christ’s ministry in the earlier days.

Of course He did not mean the actual wooden cross; it was symbolic of “that place” – Calvary, an emblem of the crucified life. 

“And He said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Mark the words; “all,” “daily” and “Me.”

“And whosoever does not carry his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27).

During the New Testament times, even the mere mention of the word ‘cross’ would cause “offence” (see Galatians 5:11).

The message about the crucified Christ was regarded as a scandal. 

Even today, some religions including Islam, vehemently deny the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ!

“And whosoever does not carry his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

LUKE 14:27

However, the Cross was a source of immense pride to the Early Church and throughout Church history.

The Cross was eventually popularized by Emperor Constantine as the official symbol of both Christ and Christianity.

But even before that, the apostles had established that Christianity stands and falls on the crucified Christ symbolized by the ‘cross.’

Paul wrote; “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died” (Galatians 6:14). See also Galatians 2:20, 5:24.

What does it mean to be “crucified with Christ”? What does taking up our cross daily look like?

It means putting to death our selfish ego and all its pride and attendant desires, appetites and passions, which are contrary to the godly life.

Yet, one doesn’t need to look too hard to notice that the contemporary Church has lost its affection for the Cross, in preference for crass materialism and entertainment.

As someone has aptly put it, the world keeps getting ever more vociferous in its demand for a ‘crossless’ Christianity!

However, only the Church that embraces the Cross will move the world, and not the cross on the steeple, but in the heart.  

The Cross is our identity – the crucified life is what makes true Christians relevant in a fallen world!

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you for the Cross.  May I always cherish the old rugged Cross and always be true to the crucified life, its shame and reproach gladly bearing, daily. For the glory of Your Name, Amen!