Thursday Hymn Reflection: “The Old Rugged Cross”

[Each Thursday, we “reflect” on a hymn recommended by our readers. To add your favorites to our list, leave a comment with up to three suggestions.]

“The emblem of suffering and shame.” That single phrase makes “The Old Rugged Cross” one of my favorite old standard hymns. Written in 1913, George Bennard’s best-known hymn continues to be sung as widely as just about any other old “standard.” Robert Morgan, in his book Then Sings My Soul, gives this brief history of the song:

On one occasion, after a difficult season of ministry, George realized he needed to better understand the power of the Cross of Christ. He later said, “I was praying for a full understanding of the Cross … I read and studied and prayed … The Christ of the Cross became more than a symbol …It was like seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form, and act out the meaning of redemption. While watching this scene with my mind’s eye, the theme of the song came to me.”

It took several months for the words to formulate in his mind. As he preached through the Midwest, George would carry the words with him, working on them, polishing them, and sometimes singing them in his meetings. It always struck a chord with his audiences. (page 275)

When I sing and reflect on “The Old Rugged Cross,” I am struck by the way the words are able to take very deep Scriptural truths, but focus on the simple truth of what happened on Calvary, and our love for it. Maybe nowhere is that better seen than in the second verse:

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.

Preachers, you could preach a series on the themes found in that one verse!

I really think people still enjoy singing this hymn, not just because it is older, and not just because many were raised singing it, but because it is profound in its teaching. To be honest, “The Old Rugged Cross” isn’t the most musical of hymns. It certainly has a beauty to the music, but it is not as musical as other older hymns. But few (if any?) songs can match the depth of meaning found in these four simple verses.

Each verse of the song focuses on what the cross means to us now, but it is the chorus that adds the eternality of the cross to our thoughts. “I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.” We bear a cross here, but it will be worth it!

Song leaders, keep this old hymn alive. The depth of what it teaches is hard to match.

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What are your reflections on “The Old Rugged Cross?”

Enjoy this video of the song as you reflect: