The old rugged cross.

 Here is a poetic reflection and a collection of scriptures celebrating the old rugged cross—the symbol of our salvation and the place where love and mercy met.

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The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suffering and shame.

And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best,

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

It was not a cross of gold or of jewels,

Not polished or grand to the eye.

But rough-hewn and blood-stained, a criminal's tree,

Where the Savior was willing to die.

I will cling to that cross, old rugged and true,

Though the world may despise its disgrace.

For it bore the weight of my sin and my shame,

And it leads me to mercy and grace.

On that cross, the Lamb laid His life down for me,

Paid the debt that I never could pay.

The curse of my sin was nailed to that tree,

And the debt was forever washed away.

So I'll cherish the cross, the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down.

I will cling to the cross, and exchange it someday,

For a crown.

For the cross is my hope, my refuge, my song,

The place where my Savior I meet.

And I'll sing of that cross, old rugged and true,

Till I rest at His nail-scarred feet.

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Scripture for the Cross

The Message of the Cross:

"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." (1 Corinthians 1:18)

He Became a Curse for Us:

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.'" (Galatians 3:13)

He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions:

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

He Humbled Himself:

"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8)

He Bore Our Sins:

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

The Cross Is Our Glory:

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)

He Canceled the Debt:

"Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:14)

It Is Finished:

"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)

Peace Through the Cross:

"And through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:20)

The Word of the Cross:

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)

He Took Up Our Infirmities:

"He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases." (Matthew 8:17)

The Lamb of God:

"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

He Opened Not His Mouth:

"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7)

For the Joy Set Before Him:

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

He Loved Me and Gave Himself for Me:

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

The Precious Blood:

"You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold... but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Near the Cross:

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14, NIV)

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A Prayer at the Cross

Lord Jesus,

I come to the old rugged cross.

Not a polished monument,

but the place where You loved me to the end.

I come not with pride,

but with humility.

For it was my sin that placed You there,

yet it was Your love that held You there.

Thank You for the nails

that could not hold You,

but held You there for me.

Thank You for the crown of thorns,

for the spear,

for the cry,

"It is finished."

Because of that cross,

I am forgiven.

Because of that cross,

I am free.

Because of that cross,

I am Yours.

Let me never boast in anything

except the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me cherish it,

cling to it,

and one day exchange it for a crown.

Until then, I will sing

of the old rugged cross

and the love that would not let me go.

In Your precious name,

Amen.