Laying Down Our Trophies
Today's Good Friday, a somber but worshipful day for every Christian as we contemplate the meaning of the cross and what Jesus did when he died there. We've been looking through this hymn, The Old Rugged Cross. And so let's listen, last of all, to the chorus, which goes like this.
So I'll cherish the old rugged
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it someday for a crown
Prioritizing the Old Rugged Cross
Those are special words! “I'll cherish the old rugged cross.” I'll cherish what Jesus did. It will mean more to me than anything else.
I like how the second line says “till my trophies at last I lay down”. You know, we tend to build up trophies in our lives, and it's healthy to some extent to try to excel and do well in the fields that we are in and so on. But even the most meaningful trophy on earth means nothing compared to the old rugged cross!
Are you cherishing your trophies or are you cherishing the old rugged cross and what Jesus did there? When you die one day, friends, your trophies will just stay behind. But if you've cherished the old rugged cross and clung to it as the third line says, “I'll cling to the old rugged cross”, then we can exchange it as the last line says “and exchange it someday for a crown.”
The Bible talks about the crowns that the faithful saints are given when they hold to the cross and truly live for Christ in this world. But friends, even if we have crowns and spiritual trophies and rewards from God in the other life, you know what will happen when we see Jesus for who He is? We'll just cast those crowns and trophies down because His glory is what's going to matter most.
Good Friday: Cherishing the Cross and Anticipating Eternity
Look at the cross today on Good Friday. I want to encourage you not to fill your day with entertainment and other things that might draw you away from this reality. Cherish the cross. Lean into the cross. Cling to the cross today. Go deeper and try to truly get a sense of what Jesus did.
And then remember, as you look at the cross today, that no matter what trophies or crowns you earn, one day when you meet Jesus, you'll be so overwhelmed by his love and glory and goodness you’ll cast them down fall at his feet and thank him for what he's done.
May it be a blessed Good Friday for you, my friends. And may you draw nearer to him and be touched by what happened on Good Friday in a deep way.
