The Old Rugged Cross

Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent, that season of preparation for the celebration of Christ's paschal mystery. As I considered what hymn to write about today, it struck me that so often we talk about Advent and Lent as if they are separate from Christmas and Easter, but they're not. Advent without its end-point is reminiscent of Narnia before the coming of the Pevensies, "Always winter and never Christmas; think of that!" The period of preparation must begin with the knowledge of what we are preparing for. Just as Christ went into the wilderness to fast for 40 days knowing what lay ahead of him, we enter the period of Lent conscious of the end-point, the celebration of Christ's atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection.

In 1913, George Bennard penned the words to this hymn, The Old Rugged Cross. The words of this hymn are powerful. I posted this same passage of scripture on another blog post, but it comes up again:

"For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Cor. 1:22-24).

This hymn preaches Christ crucified. This is a faith that preaches that we put God to death. That is foolishness apart from the understanding that comes from the Holy Spirit alone.

"In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, 'this cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." (1 Cor. 11:25-26).

Every time that we take communion, whether that is daily, weekly, or monthly (usually dependent on what church you attend), we proclaim Christ's death. Why do we joyfully proclaim the death of our Lord? Because that death accomplished something. That death was not empty, but fulfilled the law and redeemed us all. That is why we cling to the old rugged cross, knowing that all of our own efforts fall short and there is nothing of our own that we can exchange for a crown on that day, but that the only hope that any of us have is in the blood-stained cross of Christ. That is why we preach Christ crucified. That is why "if we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." (1 Cor. 15:19). But on that day, when the heavens are opened and He who is called Faithful and True comes to judge the earth, He will call us home to share His glory forever.

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.

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 some day for a crown.

 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.

Refrain

In that 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.

Refrain

To that 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.

Refrain

(Public Domain)