The Old Rugged Cross

A song kept ringing in my mind this morning. It is a hymn and probably lots of you young people probably have never even heard of this song. It was written by George Bennard around 1912-1913. It is a song filled with a a powerful message and reflects a powerful commitment to the Lord. The song is "The Old Rugged Cross". The lyrics of the song goes like this. The lyrics goes like this:

On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff'ring and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

(Chorus)

So I'll cherish the rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down'

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

Oh, 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.

(Chorus)

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

A wondrous beauty I see;

For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.

(Chorus)

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,

Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then he'll call me some day to my home far away,

Where his glory forever I'll share.

(Chorus)

Powerful, powerful song. Maybe I should do a recording of this song! But that aside, look at how Bennard described the cross. It was not one of gold, crafted by a renown designer, studded with gems and jewels, with high-end cushion on its surface and two boom-box fixed at its side. It was one of coarse wood, old, rugged, bloody, and despised. But in it, Bennard saw such beauty, such an attraction, that no matter what other options he had, he chose to cling on to this rugged cross and to cherish it.

The prophet Zechariah said, "The Lord will then be king over all the earth. In that day the Lord will be seen as one with a single name." (Zech 14:9) Being a Christian today is not easy. To stand up for what is right, to not be corrupted by the system of this world, to be ridiculed by our friends, called "holy Joe" and all, to be outcasted from the 'IN'-group, sometimes, it's so difficult that you just feel like not telling people that you're a Christian! But take heart in this, as Zechariah said, the Lord will surely come and be king over ALL the earth! Everyone will recognize that He is GOD! Christianity isn't about you or how you will look to your friends, but look at the cross. It was there that the ultimate price was paid. Blood shed, life given up for you and me. Be proud that you are the sons and daughters of the MOST HIGH! Let this song be an encouragement to you, that you will hold on to the old rugged cross. In the midst of all the gadgets and riches and fame, yet you will still hold on to the old rugged cross. Take a minute and thank God for the salvation at the cross, for His great love for you, and take another minute to pray for someone who is not yet a disciple of Jesus. Pray that he or she will come to know the love of Christ.

[Make an intentional effort to share Christ with someone, be it in a form of encouragement, or even in the form of a testimony, in any way, lift the name of Christ and share His love to someone today!]