Saturday, February 28 Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Scripture:
“Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother… and Mary Magdalene.” John 19:25

Hymn Focus: “Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand…”

Lent invites us to slow down and take our place beneath the cross—to stand, to kneel, to linger where love was fully revealed. The hymn “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” written by Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane, gives us words for this holy posture. It is not a hymn of hurried faith, but of quiet, faithful presence.

To stand beneath the cross is to stop striving and simply behold. The hymn speaks of the cross as “a mighty rock within a weary land,” a place of refuge rather than terror. Here, the cross is not only the symbol of suffering, but the shelter where our weary souls can rest. In a season that calls us to repentance and self-examination, we are reminded that we do not face our sin alone—we face it in the shadow of grace.

The hymn also draws our eyes upward and outward, linking the cross to the love of Christ:
“And from my smitten heart, with tears,
Two wonders I confess—
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.”

Lent holds these two truths together. We acknowledge our brokenness honestly, without excuse or denial. At the same time, we marvel at a love that meets us there—not with condemnation, but with mercy. Beneath the cross, shame gives way to gratitude, and confession opens the door to healing.

As we continue our Lenten journey, this hymn teaches us to remain close to the cross—not rushing past it to Easter morning, but letting its meaning sink deep into our hearts. Beneath the cross, our priorities are reordered. Earthly ambitions fade, and eternal love comes into focus.

Today, take a moment to imagine yourself standing beneath the cross of Jesus. Listen. Wait. Rest. Let the cross become your shelter, your strength, and your song.

Prayer

Gracious Savior,
Beneath Your cross we take our stand.
Meet us in our weariness, forgive us in our sin,
and teach us to trust the love poured out for us.
As we walk through this Lenten season,
keep our eyes fixed on You,
until the cross gives way to resurrection hope.
Amen.