One of the most recognizable and adored spiritual songs of all time is "The Old Rugged Cross" [Words and music by George Bennard, w. 1913]. I, for one, never grow tired of singing it. For my part, I count it as a tragedy that we have become so time-oriented (which means, "Let’s hurry and get through this so we can beat folks to the restaurant or get home and enjoy some non-spiritual activities.") that we often sing one, or maybe two, verses of this great hymn. Every verse of this song is packed with meaning. We lose out when we do not sing it in its entirety.

In the first stanza of the song, we sing, "And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain." Let us consider these words, looking at them in reverse order.

On that old, rugged cross, Jesus "was slain." It is true that He was willing to lay down His life for the sheep (John 10:15). Yet, the apostle Peter also stated this fact to the Jews on the day of Pentecost: "Him . . . ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain" (Acts 2:23). That day some correctly confessed Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 27:54), but others slew Him and hanged Him on a tree (Acts 5:30).

On that old, rugged cross, Jesus was slain "for a world of lost sinners." He was not slain for the benefit of only one person, one family, one race, or one nation. On that day, on that cross, by the grace of God our Savior tasted of death for every man (Hebrew 2:9). Since all have sinned (Romans 3:23), then all stand in need of the redemption that is available only because Jesus "bare our sins in his own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). Yes, Jesus is the propitiation "for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2).

On that old, rugged cross, the One that was slain truly was/is "the dearest and best." Jesus was dear to the Father, yet for you and me, the Father "spared not his own Son" (Romans 8:32). He was dear to His devoted followers, who grieved at His death, but then rejoiced when He rose from the grave. And, He is dear to any right-thinking person of our generation as well. He alone is our Savior (Acts 4:12), our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), our Master and our Lord (John 13:13). He is, as we sing, the "best." He was simply the very best in every way – the best teacher, the best friend, the best person to ever live on the earth. He alone grew to adulthood and lived a life completely free from sin (Hebrews 4:14,15). He "offered one sacrifice for sins for ever," thus making Him the best sacrifice ever (Hebrews 10:12).

Because of what took place on that old, rugged cross, "(You) And I love that old cross." What’s not to love about it?! There the Son of God "loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). Yes, you and I sing about loving Jesus’ cross, but are we really showing love for it? How much do I cherish the old, rugged cross when I talk, giggle, and do distracting things during the Lord’s Supper? How much do I really cherish the old, rugged cross if I never tell others about it? How much do I really cherish that cross if I am ashamed of the church which He bought with His blood (Acts 20:28)? If we are not faithfully serving Jesus, then we just might be guilty of crucifying God’s Son all over again (Hebrews 6:6).

"On a hill far away" something fabulous happened. You and I can have life because Jesus was willing to surrender His life! Yes, He died in order that you and I might live. Thank God for the old, rugged cross.

-- Roger D. Campbell