1 Corinthians 1:18-19 – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

 “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”  NKJV

 

Hebrews 12 reveals to us that Jesus, out of incredible love and great joy, “endured the Cross” to redeem mankind.  The Cross was part of the process but an indispensable portion for without the Cross there would be no Crown and no Redemption for you and me.  Then in 1 Peter 2, we find some of the benefits of the Cross including, salvation and healing both spiritually and physically.  That message is lost to many today and it seems we virtually never sing the old hymns of the church for we have progressed and evolved, as I’ve been told.  If it is deemed progress to relegate the Cross to a position of unimportance then I do not desire progress.  Yes, I want each of us to grow in grace and mature spiritually but I never want to forget the Cross and what our salvation cost.

The timeless hymn was written by George Bernard, a traveling evangelist in 1913, “The Old Rugged Cross” is a song that may not have the modern beat but has a message that is timeless.  He was heckled incessantly by some of the youth at a revival meeting in Michigan.  George Bernard was so troubled by their disrespect and disregard for the gospel he turned to Scripture to study and reflect on the Cross of Christ.  He said, “I seemed to have a vision… I saw the Christ and the Cross inseparable.”  That is powerful.  He completed the first verse during meetings in Albion, Michigan and the remaining three verses were completed in Pokagon, Michigan during meetings in local churches.  He first performed the song in its entirety for the host pastor, Reverend Leroy and Ruby Bostwick, in the living room of their parsonage. They were so moved by the song and message it was incorporated in the revival service on June 7, 1913. 

“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.”          

That so encapsulates the message it is amazing.  The refrain so grips my heart I can never read it, hear it, or sing it without tears coming to my eyes:

“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 someday for a crown.” 

The next three verses convey the awesomeness of the Cross and the Christ of the Cross.

“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.

             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 someday to my home far away,

             Where His glory forever I’ll share.” 

The Cross is and has been seen as foolishness and even unnecessary by many, but to us who are saved it is the Power of God.  It holds the revelation of what we have in this New Birth in Jesus Christ.  It reveals the love and mercy of God for mankind.  It truly is something I will always cherish and to which I cling, not the tree of wood but to the Christ who hung on that tree and the tree is a symbol to me to remind me of WHAT JESUS DID.

            God bless you as you go through this day in Him.