An Old Rugged Cross And Three Young Families
On Friday evening my wife and I attended the “Good Friday” service at our church. My role in the service was fairly minimal so I was able to enjoy the service from the back of the sanctuary with my wife, our ten week old daughter and two other couples (friends of ours) who had their young children with them.
At some point during the service, all three of us made our way upstairs to the cry room where we were able to be a part of the service without disrupting things with the moans, groans and cries of small children.
Towards the end of the service as the congregation was being led in the song, “The Old Rugged Cross,” I experienced a powerful moment.
As I looked around the small dimly lit cry room, all six of us adults were singing that old, tried and true hymn and it sounded incredible.
This wasn’t a song from our generation but I couldn’t help but think about how the words of the song are as true today as they were when they were written.
…As true as they were when Christ was crucified on the cross….
…As true as they will be years and years from now when our children’s children attend Good Friday services of their own.
The truth of the matter is God’s love is timeless and the gift He gave by sending His son to die on the cross for my sins and the sins of my children and my friends and my friend’s children is timeless.
It is because of that sacrifice that we have the opportunity to spend eternity with God.
It is because of an old rugged cross that there is eternal hope for three young families just beginning their journeys of faith.
What does that old rugged cross mean to you?
Posted on April 27th, 2011 by David | 15 Comments »
Dave,
The Old Rugged Cross was one of your Grandfather’s favorite hymns. Whenever I sing it I think of him. It is wonderfully uplifting.
Uncle Bob
It really is a great song. It’s not one that I have sung a lot as of late, but it was nice to include it in the Good Friday service. I’m sure the next time I sing it I will think of grandpa as well. He was a good man.
What a special moment. Thanks for sharing.
It has been quite some time since I’ve sung that song, but I’ve always remembered liking it. Reflecting on the cross always prompts me to be humbled and grateful.
Hey Dustin, it had been quite some time since I had sung the song as well, but it does have some powerful lyrics. Sometimes, it’s nice sing one of those older hymns.
This is great, David. I absolutely love old hymns. You’re right – they remind us that Gods love is timeless.
Hymns are great. I don’t sing them as often as I used to growing up, but it is always nice to sing a song that has been sung for decades, by believers all around the world.
I can never get tired of meditating on the finished work of that old rugged cross. That is the ultimate focus to bring my life back into perspective in any situation.
Amen to that! It’s amazing how often I need to have my perspective readjusted and that song is a great way to do that, for sure.
The cross is such a powerful symbol. To me the cross means: salvation, a promise, love, and hope.
Good stuff man!
I totally agree. The cross is a very powerful symbol but it becomes so easy for us to overlook it because we tend to see it used all the time and I think we need to be reminded of what it really stands for.
Great hymn. These were used in every service as I was growing up. There are some that have really stuck with me – this is one of them. “It is well with my soul” is another. I took a class in College that dealt with the background stories on some of these great hymns – the class was called “Hymnology” I have never forgotten some of those – and they have more meaning when you know how they came to be – such as “Amazing Grace” – incredible story born out of a converted slave trader during the Pre-Civil War Era. Amazing.
The stories behind many of the hymns are great. Although, I don’t sing hymns as much I did growing up they definitely are powerful and special songs.
Despite the splinters and jagged edges the “old rugged cross” is a symbol that I find great comfort and safety in. Sort of like my dad’s calloused hands. Strong and rough, but safe and good.
Cute story. You’re a good dad.
Great imagery KC. Iike the idea of a father’s calloused hands and their ability to be both strong/rough and safe/good.
Whenever I sing this song, I hear my grandma…your great-grandma Lantz’s alto voice singing it so strong and clearly. “And 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.” She has her crown now and someday, we will too!