“The Old Rugged Cross” was my grandfather’s favorite hymn so every time we sing it I am reminded of him. I remember something funny about my Aunt Mae singing it. She did not understand all of the words and made up her own words.

When I was young our church had hymnals with words but no music. I sang along as best I could improvising on what I thought the words said because I could not read. What a shock it was when I was able to read the words! I found out I had been singing many of the familiar songs with the wrong words.

I am not really sure why this was grandpa’s favorite song, I just knew it was. Grandpa was a robust singer so he really belted out the words and the melody. I loved to sit beside him because he inspired me to sing out as well. My mother sang in the choir so I got to sit with grandma and grandpa every Sunday.

It is said that the most powerful Christian symbol is the cross. That is where the journey for salvation begins. Jesus suffered and died on that cross that we might be saved by grace. None of us deserve the salvation that Jesus offers us. It is truly only by grace that we can come to the Lord.

Crosses are everywhere and not everyone who wears one is a devoted Christian these days. Crosses were found on the coat of arms during medieval times. They can be found on church steeples, stained-glass windows and altars. It is also on Bible covers and hymnals. Our hymnal has a cross and flame.

It is often said that people have a cross to bear — whatever that means. I think it means that we will all have troubles in this life. The trouble is the cross that we bear. It can mean that we have an illness or someone in our family does. It can mean that we struggle to make ends meet. It can mean a loss of a job or the loss of a home. Trouble comes in many forms.

I found out that this hymn was written by George Bennard. It was a reflection of his life it seems. He was what we would call small for his age. When teams were chosen in school he was one of the last to be chosen. I can relate to that. I was never particularly athletic. I loved to play basketball, but I preferred to be a guard. I also liked volleyball. I was good at serving and could land it in the back corner or just over the net.

Bennard was forced to quit school to care for his family when his father passed. If it was not for the church service that he was able to attend his talent would have withered away. As a young man he went forward to give his life to Christ.

After his siblings were grown he married. At this point in his life he remembered his pledge to serve the Lord. He spent more than twenty years in the ministry. To him the cross was a “living vehicle of faith.” Christ and the cross were inseparable.

Bennard told his friends, “The cross is far more than just a religious symbol. It is the very heart of the gospel.” It was while conducting a series of revival services that this hymn was written. It was a God given thing he believed. The song was published a few years later and has remained a mainstay of the Christian faith for just over 100 years.

The old rugged cross made the difference. These words are paraphrased from a song by the Gaithers. During the years that our family sang we used many Gaither songs so the words were familiar to me.

I share the words of the song so that you will remember the cross — the symbol of salvation.

The Old Rugged Cross

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.

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.

Refrain:

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.

George Bennard – 1915

This was for you, Grandpa. May you rest in peace. I look forward to seeing you again.

May you and your family have a blessed Easter. My hope is that you take the time to attend a church service somewhere. One hour of your time is not much. Happy Easter to all of you. May the Lord richly bless you and yours.