The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross. And on that cross, the only One who never sinned became our sin so that we might become right with God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Tens of thousands of lambs had given their lives so that sin’s penalty could be delayed, but it could not be dismissed.  “The wages of sin is death,” and the holiness of God demands absolute justice.  We all stood convicted and condemned.  The price of our rebellion?  Death.  Not merely the separation of the spirit from the body but the separation of the soul from God—forever.  We were hopeless and helpless with each sentenced to eternal doom for his own depravity.

Only one who deserved none of the punishment could pay it.  Only one who was perfect could say, “Put it all on me,” and, “at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly”(Romans 5:6).

Nails pierced his hands and feet, but love held Him to the cross.  In the ultimate act of surrender and sacrifice, Jesus died our death.  The sun stopped shining as the Light of the World was darkened with our sin. The Father ripped Himself away from the Son, and in the pain and horror of their separation the eternal price for our rebellion was paid. “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”(Hebrews 10:10).  Oh, what grace--shocking, astounding, amazing, and marvelous! 

“It is finished,” Jesus cried, but may our worship and wonder never cease.