From the pen of Dr. Sam Jones 

“Surely He has borne our grief And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His strips we are healed” (Isa. 53:4-6).

At the cross, Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of becoming the suffering servant. As we enjoy the beauty of this day, let us pause to remember the cross. Remember the cross for it was our sins that caused Jesus to have to suffer and endure its agony (Matt. 8:17). He was smitten or became a curse for us that our sins might be forgiven (Gal. 3:13). What a Savior! What a friend!

In 1913, during a period of spiritual struggle in his life, George Bennard penned the words of the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.” The author describes, in this heart touching hymn, one of the great prophecies of the Messiah prophet Isaiah. May we never forget the importance and power of the cross! Reflect often throughout this day on the following two stanzas and chorus of this beautiful hymn:

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of

suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the

dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

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.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it someday for a crown.

Remember the Cross! Jesus endured shame and pain for all to be eligible to be free from the consequences of sin. Let’s remember the cross and be thankful. May God bless you with a great day!