Saturday, February 21 The Old Rugged Cross

Scripture:
“May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14

Hymn Focus:
“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame…”

Lent invites us to look steadily at the cross—not as an ornament or distant symbol, but as the place where love bore the weight of suffering. The hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” calls us to see the cross in all its roughness and reality. It was not polished or beautiful by the world’s standards. It was an instrument of shame, pain, and death.

And yet, this hymn reminds us of a profound truth: what the world rejected, God redeemed. The cross that represented disgrace became the sign of our salvation. Lent is a season that asks us to face uncomfortable truths—about sin, sacrifice, and the cost of grace—but always in the light of God’s transforming love.

The hymn declares,
“So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down.”
To cherish the cross does not mean to glorify suffering, but to honor the love that endured it. Lent invites us to examine what we cling to—our pride, our achievements, our need for control—and to lay them down at the foot of the cross.

As we journey through Lent, the cross becomes both a mirror and a guide. It shows us the seriousness of sin and the depth of Christ’s obedience. It also leads us toward a life shaped by humility, faithfulness, and self-giving love. Following Jesus means carrying our own crosses—not as punishment, but as a path of trust and devotion.

The hymn ends with hope beyond the present moment:
“I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it someday for a crown.”
Lent does not end at the cross; it moves through it toward resurrection. The promise of new life gives meaning to the sacrifice we remember now.

This Lenten season, linger at the cross. Let it reshape your values, soften your heart, and deepen your gratitude. In the shadow of the old rugged cross, we discover both the cost of love and the hope of glory.

Prayer

Faithful Savior,
We stand before the old rugged cross,

aware of its pain and grateful for its promise.
Teach us to lay down all that keeps us from You,

and to walk the path of humble devotion.
As we journey through Lent,

keep our eyes fixed on the love that saves us,

until we are made new in the light of Your resurrection.
Amen.