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The Old Rugged Cross is a hymn often sung by Christians which evokes the
memory of that day almost 2,000 years ago when our Savior paid the price for our
sins at Calvary. On that day a spiritual war was won by losing a battle. Satan
had everyone on his side: government, religion and the masses. The basest of
human passions also seemed to win — revenge, envy, hatred, cowardice, blackmail
and injustice. But the spiritual war for the forgiveness of my sins was won.
Thousands of years earlier God had prophesied of this moment to Satan: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Gen. 3:15). Jesus' death bruised and bloodied Satan's head and placed him on a leash. But there were three crosses at Calvary — two criminals and one innocent man. The innocent man was in the middle. On either side were two thieves, robbers, malefactors or criminals. Literally the two criminals were violent men. One repented of his sins and referred to Jesus as Lord (Lk. 23:42). The other cross represented rebellion and rejection. Let us examine that cross and what it represents. Both of the thieves railed against the Lord at the beginning (Matt. 27:44). But one was particularly virulent and blasphemous. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us." (Lk. 23:39). It was no doubt said in a voice filled with contempt and suffering. Doesn't a life of rebellion against God bring this state (cf. Lk. 16:23-24)? "If thou be Christ...." He was mocking Jesus' claim to be the Messiah (cf. Jn. 18:36). "Save thyself and us." He was challenging the power of the Son of God. Jesus could have saved Himself at any time. But because He was the Christ He would not. "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matt. 26:53). The mocking thief represents those so deeply mired in sin they lash out at anything having to do with Christianity. They are more numerous than we think. They are those who hate the truth of God's word — evolutionists who hate any mention of the Creation, hedonists who don't want any limits on their freedom (i.e. slavery to sin), and fundamentalist secularists who don't want God, Jesus or the Bible ever mentioned in public. "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." (2 Pet. 3:3-4). At Calvary the people stood by while this injustice occurred. This was the same multitude that praised Jesus as He entered Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. A few days later, egged on by their leaders, they screamed for His death (Matt. 27:20). Some even mocked the Lord. "And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying, Thou that destoyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross." (Matt. 27: 39-40). When it comes to modern day religion many follow popular opinion and hearsay rather than the word of God. I refer to the sheep that believe in "faith- only" salvation, forgiveness without repentance, "attend-the-church-of-your- choice" and related false doctrines. They are no different than the onlookers who blindly followed their leaders that day. The rulers of the people derided the Lord as He hung on the cross (Lk. 23:35). These were the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees. These religious hypocrites addressed the Lord as if He were already dead. They were the ones who were truly guilty of crucifying the Lord. Jesus said to Pilate, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin." (Jn. 19:11). This does not forever brand all Jews as Christ killers. God loves all and wants them to come to redemption. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Acts 10:34-35). These rulers represent some religious folk today who sneer at New Testament Christianity. I refer to those who disdain religious unity based on the word of God rather than the traditions and opinions of men (Matt. 15:9). They prefer a denomination to the one church you read about in the Bible. They ridicule immersion for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). They laugh at the authorized worship of New Testament (Jn. 4:24; Col. 3:17). The Roman soldiers mocked him and offered Him sour wine (Lk. 23:36). These are the same men who had brutalized Jesus earlier that day (cf. Jn. 19:1-3). Like Pontius Pilate they saw Him as a tragic fool. They used the phrase King of the Jews in contempt (Lk. 23:37; Jn. 18:35). In blissful ignorance these soldiers showed strange empathy for the Lord. This attitude represents worldly persons today. They tolerate Christianity but secretly scoff at it. The following statements often heard in the world betray this attitude: "You are all a bunch of goody-two-shoes." "Does it really matter if the Bible is inspired or not?" "What is wrong with drinking a beer?" "Why the big fuss about same-sex marriage?" All of these folks (the onlookers, the rulers, the mocking thief, and the soldiers) represent those in rebellion against God. The thief was paying the price for his sin of outward rebellion or the breaking of civil law (cf. Rom. 13:4). The Jews rejected the word of God — fulfilled prophecy, Jesus' teaching and miracles. The onlookers followed the crowd rather than the Christ. "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Ex. 23:2). The soldiers ignored the obvious innocence of Jesus. But one could not ignore Him. "Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man." (Lk. 23:47). The darkened scene on that Judean hill represents the state of rebellion that all accountable human beings who are not faithful Christians are in every day. It is a pitiful spiritual state to be in: having no hope, and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). Many are unwilling to acknowledge that they are separated from the One who made them by their own sin, because sin is rebellion. "Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4, ASV). But the love of God shines through the darkness of Calvary and offers us a way of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. Obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ provides us liberty from the bonds of sin and rebellion. To be forgiven of one's sin one must,
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