Heckled by several youth while preaching at a revival meeting in Michigan, George Bennard was troubled. Their disrespect for him was not what lingered in his mind. Rather, it was their inability to recognize the power of the gospel story for their lives. Later that night, longing to share the power of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sakes, Bennard penned these words:

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.

So 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.

            Several months later, Bennard completed “The Old Rugged Cross,”¹ including those words. It’s a hymn that has been loved by many since, even if not used quite as much by current generations. Its words remind us that we Christians are people of the cross.

            Whether you’re into that old song or not, on this day, Good Friday, we remember the cross. Not the replicas on the walls of our sanctuaries, the symbols on our church signs or the golden crosses we wear as jewelry.

            Today we remember the cross as it truly was — “an emblem of suffering and shame,” as well as an instrument of torture and execution.

            We come to worship today to “cling to the old rugged cross,” because in it we find the power of God to transform our hearts and renew our world.

...approximately 1,669 words remaining. You are not logged in. Please see options at the top of this page to view complete sermon.