The Old Rugged Cross: Despised

Introduction

George Bennard wrote some 300 hymns. Only one is in our hymnal. In his later years, he lived in Reed City, Michigan. Because the popularity of his song, the Old Rugged Cross, the Chamber of Commerce erected a memorial cross in 1954 there in Reed City, Michigan to honor the success of this hymn. In fact, there is also the Old Rugged Cross Museum located a few miles from where the memorial cross was erected. It has free admission if you ever want to go. The hymn, The Old Rugged Cross has been one of the most popular hymns of all time. But the cross which it represents has not always been something that was profound and popular in the eyes of many. In fact, one line in this hymn says it is “so despised by world.” It is found in verse two:

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.

Why was the cross so despised? Is it still despised today? Theologically, the cross was the instrument on which our Savior paid the ultimate costs for our sins. Historically, the cross became a punishment because of an untrue charge of blasphemy.

Matthew 26:65–66 NIV84

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.

We see in this short passage, they were misinformed about the Messiah.

Misinformed about the Messiah

The high priest served several purposes that were crucial to Israelite worship. It was the high priest’s responsibility to see that the covenant was enforced, and to direct people to complete the duties of the temple and the law of Moses. As the representative for the nation of Israel, the high priest had a tremendous responsibility to direct the hearts of the people toward God and the fulfillment of the covenant. Some of the primary responsibilities of the high priest were the regular handling of sacrifices and offerings, the blessing of people, and the annual entrance into the most holy place within the tabernacle/temple during the Day of Atonement. Many of the duties, actions, and even the unique style of dress that was required of the high priest were symbolic.

Caiaphas

There are three high priests mentioned in the New Testament: Caiaphas, Annas, and Ananias. In Hebrews 5, Jesus is called the High Priest because “He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:9

Hebrews 5:9 NIV84

9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

The Jews

The Jews had been waiting long for the Messiah. Scripture had shown them it was to come through the line of David with royalty and not in the form of a blasphemous charge. An example of this belief is found in 2 Samuel 7:13

2 Samuel 7:13 NIV84

13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

The Others

Others recognized the importance of the Messiah but did not fully understand its claim. An example was Jesus encountering the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus tells her He is the Messiah: John 4:25-26

John 4:25–26 NIV84

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”

She got it. The Bible says she left her water jar and went to town to proclaim the Good News. She had been misinformed but got clarification when she encountered Jesus.

Misunderstood the Messianic Prophecies

We also see that misinformation leads to misunderstanding. Again, in these same three scenarios how this misunderstanding took place.

Caiaphas

Before Caiaphas charged Jesus with blasphemy, a sin that was to lead to death, we see another encounter. In fact, in John’s Gospel, Caiaphas made a prediction earlier:

John 11:49–53 NIV84

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

Caiaphas was not the only one misinformed. So were the Jews.

The Jews

Psalm 38:12–15 NIV84

12 Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception. 13 I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth; 14 I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. 15 I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God.

Sometimes the noise of unbelief gets so loud, we cannot hear the voice of God.

The Others

Others struggle as well. Just about everywhere Jesus went, He was questioned about who He was.

John 7:40–44 NIV84

40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “He is the Christ.” Still others asked, “How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42 Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.

They misunderstood the Messianic prophecies, which led them to be misled about the Messianic truth.

Misled about the Messianic Truth

Did you know that Jesus was charged with blaspheme by the high priest, yet Jesus never said anything that was blasphemous?

The Plotting and the Control

Caiaphas had to feel like he had egg on his face. There was more plotting and trying to take control here than there is in a whole season of Yellowstone or the old TV series Dallas. What is it about people that need to have control? It is the same thing it has been throughout the history of mankind. We are selfish and power hungry. We are born that way and we need a Savior to rescue us from our demise. Caiaphas could only see through his religious, ritualistic ways. Even his reaction was religious and ritualistic. He tears his clothes. This was not typical protocol for a high priest. He must not normally tear his clothes. Leviticus 21:10-11

Leviticus 21:10–11 NIV84

10 “ ‘The high priest, the one among his brothers who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and who has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair become unkempt or tear his clothes. 11 He must not enter a place where there is a dead body. He must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother,

However, there was one religious and ritualistic extreme case in which the high priest would tear his clothes. It was in the case of blasphemy. His plotting and attempt of control played out well. In tearing his clothes, he now could see the support of those around and he was pleasing the crowd.

The Pleasing of the Crowd

The old rugged cross became a tool to please the crowd. Caiaphas said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do you need witnesses? Look, you know have heard blasphemy. What do you think?”

He builds his case. He gives it support. Then he baits the crowd. It does not take much to rile a crowd up and stir the pot so to speak. Caiaphas certainly stirs the pot. The people shout, “He is worthy of death.”

The Portrait of the Condemnation

The portrait of the condemnation had been painted. Leviticus 24:16

Leviticus 24:16 NIV84

16 anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.

The ancient law was to be carried out. The plot began to intensify John 5:18

John 5:18 NIV84

18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

John 10:33 NIV84

33 “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Misinformation, misunderstanding, and being misled will always lead to mistakes.

Mistaken about the Messianic Purpose

Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, the Jews, and all the others were mistaken about the Messianic purpose. They are not alone. Unfortunately, we see many who despise the cross and many who reject the claims of Christ and the cross.

Rejecting the Claims of Christ and the Cross

John Stott wrote, “There is no greater cleavage between faith and unbelief then in their respective attitudes to the cross.”

The cross is a stumbling block to those that do not believe. 1 Corinthians 1:23

1 Corinthians 1:23 NIV84

23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

People stumble over the cross and resist the cause of Christ and the cross.

Resisting the Cause of Christ and the Cross

Islam resists the cross declaring it inappropriate that a major prophet of God should come to such a horrific end. They also believe no soul should bear another’s burdens. Those who practice Islam said, “The Jews uttered a monstrous falsehood when they declared ‘we have put to death the Messiah Jesus Son of Mary, the Apostle of Allah,’ for they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but they thought they did.”

They actually believe that God cast a spell over the enemies of Jesus in order to rescue Him. They believe that Judas Iscariot or Simon of Cyrene was substituted for Him at the last moment. Another theory says Jesus was only “swooned” on the cross and revived in the tomb and then moved India.

Muslims/Hindu accept the cross and historical event but resist its saving significance.

Ghandi said, “I could accept Jesus as a martyr and embodiment of sacrifice, and a divine teacher, but not the most perfect ever born. His death on the cross was a great example to the world, but there was nothing like a mysterious or miraculous virtue in it, my heart will not accept it.”

Removing any Connection with Christ and the Cross

The cross is so despised that that many resolved to remove any connection to the cross as well as the Christ of the cross. Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher and philogist, declared Christianity to be weak, and a religion of pity.

Sir Alfred Ayer, the Oxford phisopher wrote a newspaper article of the religions and their historical importance, of which he said Christianity was the worst.

But to those that recognize the cross, it is the bridge between all mankind and God Almighty. Justin Martyr, the second century apologist wrote, “Perceiving the cross to the be center of history and theology, they naturally perceive it also to be the center of all reality. So they see it everywhere and have always done so.”Justin Martyr would write that wherever he looked, he saw the cross. He saw it in a ship’s mast, a plow’s blade, a yoke, and even in the form of a human with his arms stretched out.

Malcolm Muggeridge was raised as a socialist. He was an agnostic turned Christian. He also saw the cross everywhere he went. He saw it when two pieces of wood were inadvertently nailed together. He saw it in a telegraph pole and many other things. He wrote, “This symbol, which was considered to be derisory in my home, was yet the focus of inconceivable hopes and dreams.” Malcolm Muggeridge

George Bennard wrote, “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.”

What would you write about the old rugged cross?

The old rugged cross, a picture of ridicule, disgust and shame; yet for my sins and my junk, He bore my name. He hung on that tree between heaven and earth, to be a bridge so I could renew my worth. He bled and died for my guilt and pain, He is my Savior, and with Him I will reign.