Lord’s Day, Vol. 5 No. 14

(1) The Old Rugged Cross

“The Old Rugged Cross” is the most frequently requested hymn. Songbook editors have designated it as the most popular of all hymns. Within thirty years of its publication in 1913, more than twenty million copies had been sold.

“The Old Rugged Cross” declares in simple and yet sublime words the central truth of the gospel, and it speaks to the need of every believer.

George Bennard, its composer, made a personal commitment to Christ while attending a Salvation Army revival meeting in Lucas, Iowa. He initially served alone, then with his wife, for eight years. Resigning his position in the Salvation Army, he became an evangelist in the Methodist Church.

A trying experience caused him to reflect seriously on the meaning of the cross and of Paul’s writing of entering into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. We do not know what Bennard’s trial was, but out of it came his conviction that the cross is not just a religious symbol but the very heart of the gospel.

Bennard later recorded, “The words of the hymn were put into my heart in answer to my own need.” Out of Bennard’s prayer came the song that has blessed a worldwide fellowship of God’s soldiers of the cross.

In 1958, at the age of eighty-six, George Bennard exchanged his cross for a crown.

 

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.

 

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

            That my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

            And exchanged it someday 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.

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.

 

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.

 

May we know the salvation and life eternal that come by faith in the One who has made the supreme sacrifice for us on that old rugged cross.

 

[Extracted and edited from Songs in the Night by Henry Gariep]

 

 

(2) Meditations on the Cross

 

At the cross, Jesus Christ was crucified between two malefactors (Luke 23:32-33). The word “malefactors” literally means evil workers! One of them saw the light and was soundly converted. He said unto Jesus, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42). He believed Jesus is the Son of God and that Jesus’ death is able to save him from God’s judgment.

The place of crucifixion was called Calvary, a place located just outside the city of Jerusalem. Crucifixion was the Roman method of capital punishment. Israel was then a vessel state of Rome. Hung over Jesus was the inscription, “This is the King of the Jews”.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the disciples shouted, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest” (Luke 19:38).

The people thought that Jesus the King would free them from being a vessel state of Rome and Israel would once again be strong again as a nation. The Jewish establishment felt threatened and turned upon Jesus, put Him on trial overnight and by early Friday morning, Pilate had sentenced Jesus for crucifixion.

In His first coming, Jesus entered human history, came from heaven, to live a sinless life, fulfilled all the laws of God on our behalf and died on the cross, to take the penalty for our sin!

Every man born of the seed of man is born with a sin nature, the propensity for evil. The accompanying sorrow and inevitable death come upon all men without exception. A problem that plagued all mankind since the fall of Adam and Eve!

War and violence characterise human history. Out of over 7000 years of human history, there were only a couple hundred of years when men were not at war one with another.

Men needed a new heart, a new nature. This new heart is granted when men put their faith in Jesus Christ. The sin problem was dealt with at the cross! Jesus rose from the dead, victorious over sin and death. Thank God for sending His Son to save us. Hallelujah!

 

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee