The Old Rugged Cross
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
[Jesus suffered the most horrible kind of death so we could live eternally, He died to take away our sins – John 3:16]
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
[The world, those who belong to the devil, hated Jesus so much that they crucified Him] [
Yet, we were drawn by the Spirit of God to receive Christ as our Savior, the One who left His riches in glory; became poor for us that we might become rich – (2 Corinthians 8:9)
In the old, rugged Cross, stain'd with blood so divine
A wondrous beauty I see
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
To pardon and sanctify me
[The precious blood of Jesus cleansed us from our sins – how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14), and we are sanctified through the Word of God (John 17:17). We are set apart for God’s purpose and for His glory].
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
[We bear the shame by becoming crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20); being persecuted, all manner of evil spoken against you….. (Matthew 5:11), and we are to put our flesh to death (Colossians 3:5).
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
Trophy - a cup or other decorative object awarded as a prize for a victory or success. Crown - a reward for victory or mark of honor.
The apostle Paul explained it like this
Striving for a Crown
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
We receive our rewards by being faithful - His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord (Matthew 25:21).
Keep clinging to the “Old Rugged Cross”
~ Betty A. Burnett ~
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