The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference

© Copyright 2013 PJ Stassen
All Rights Reserved

What is truth? Said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer.

-          Francis Bacon, 1561-1626.

   Tradition has it that, according to the Roman historian Tacitus, Pontius Pilate committed suicide sixteen years after the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth in Jerusalem.  Exactly why we will probably never know … did Pilate fall into disfavour with the ruling echelons of Rome, or was it because of persistent persecution by a nagging conscience?  Pilate was, after all, warned by his wife not to get involved in the execution of the innocent man:

Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.  (Matthew 27:15-22 KJV, www.e-sword.net).

     

   Nevertheless, it is simply awesome how the lives of people, indeed the lives of entire communities, have been changed over the centuries since the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.  How many drunken derelicts have we seen transformed into sober, Bible-reading saints by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit; how many fathers and mothers, made whole, given back to their rejoicing families; how many dysfunctional communities transformed into industrious, hard-working and law-abiding citizens; how many drug-dazed teenagers and young adults changed into powerful and enthused witnesses for Jesus Christ. Yes, the old rugged cross made the difference!  I am convinced that, without the old rugged cross and the message represented by it, many a soul reading this passage would probably have been either in prison or otherwise pretty destitute today. Furthermore, even though you may still be destitute today, it is not necessarily too late ... the message of the cross is not called the 'Good News' for nothing!  I quote from two verses only:  

YouTube

The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference

(WORDS: William J. & Gloria Gaither/MUSIC: William J. Gaither)

‘Twas a life filled with aimless desperation

Without hope walked a shell of a man;

Then a hand with a nailprint stretched downward,

Just one touch and a new life began.

There’s a room filled with sad ashen faces

Without hope death has wrapped them in gloom;

But at the side of a saint there’s rejoicing,

Life can’t be sealed in a tomb.

CHORUS

And the old rugged cross made the difference,

In a life bound for heartache and defeat;

I will praise Him forever and ever,

For the cross made the difference for me.

   This insert on the right, an excerpt from Bob Benson's book Laughter In The Walls, exemplifies the awesome power of the gospel  and sacrifice of Jesus Christ at Calvary to powerfully transform the lives of even the lowest of (so-called) 'dregs' in society:

Piet Stassen

eLiterature/eLiteratuur:

1. Scribd Publishing Site:  www.scribd.com/PietStassen (ENGLISH & AFRIKAANS)
2. eBook: 'Evolution: The Science That Evolved Into A Fairy Tale' (ENGLISH)  
3. eBook:  'Bertrand Russell Revisited: Rebuttal Of Bertrand Russell's 'Why I Am Not A Christian''(ENGLISH)
4. eBook: 'Meditations & Contemplations: A Reader For Both Atheists And Creationists' (ENGLISH)
5. eBook: 'Conservation, Rhino Poaching And Hypocrisy' (ENGLISH)
6. eBook: 'Why Darwinism ('Evolution') Does Not Make Sense' (ENGLISH)
7. eBook: 'Names And Titles Of Jesus Of Nazareth (ENGLISH)'
8. eBoek:  'Darwin Of Christus: Suid-Afrikaners By 'n Kruispad!' [AFRIKAANS].
9. eBoek:  'Bevryding Van Die Anti-Evangelie Van Ateisme-Evolusionisme' [AFRIKAANS].
10. eBoek:  'Name & Titels Van Jesus Christus' [AFRIKAANS].
11. eTracts, Christian (Free, Downloadable):  Free, downloadable Christian eTracts for free distribution (ENGLISH)
12. eTraktate, Christelik (Gratis, Aflaaibaar): Gratis, aflaaibabre Christelike Traktate vir gratis verspreiding (AFRIKAANS)

Bibliography

1.  Andrews, Allen (1969) Quotations For Speakers And Writers. Newnes Books. Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd. Middlesex, England.

2.  eLyrics.net. ‘The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference’. Accessed At <http://www.elyrics.net/read/g/gaither-vocal-band-lyrics/the-old-rugged-cross-made-the-difference-lyrics.html> [online] 2013.
3.  Last.fm.com. 'Bill & Gloria Gaither'. Accessed At <http://www.last.fm/music/Bill+&+Gloria+Gaither> [online] 2013.