Saturday, March 31: The Old Rugged Cross
The Old Rugged Cross was written in 1912 by George Bennard, an evangelist and song-leader. He was born in Ohio and was heavily involved with the Salvation Army.
Crucifixions were invented by the Persians between 400 and 300 BC, but were perfected by the Romans in 1 BC.
I do love The Old Rugged Cross. In my mind’s eye I see the cross on a hillside with the pastels of a sunrise or a sunset behind it.
The cross, though, seems to have two stories. There is the story of torture and punishment and the story of forgiveness and redemption. It’s all spelled out in this wonderful hymn. “…that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction to me…”
The real two stories are that, as Christians, we cannot have forgiveness and redemption, mercy and restoration without the crucifixion of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
“…the dear Lamb of God left His Glory above to bear it to dark Calvary…” One line truly tells both stories of the cross.