Who could ignore a beautiful hymn such as The Old Rugged Cross? Its lyrics and melody touch the soul of the Christian who constantly faces difficulties for following Jesus Christ, our Master and Savior. It is out of persecution that this hymn, The Old Rugged Cross, was written.
An American Methodist evangelist and song leader named George Bennard (February 4, 1873-October 10, 1958) wrote The Old Rugged Cross. He traveled to different places to hold evangelistic meetings and to preach about Jesus Christ. In the fall of 1912, in one of his revival meetings in Albion, Michigan, Bennard received a mockery from his listeners. This inspired him to write The Old Rugged Cross. He finished the song during one of his other evangelistic meetings, and on the last night, Bennard sang The Old Rugged Cross with Ed Mieras and with Pearl Torstensen Berg as their accompanist. On June 7, 1913, with the help of gospel-song composer Charles H. Gabriel, the hymn was arranged for a quintet choir who would be singing The Old Rugged Cross at the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon in Pokagon, Michigan. The Old Rugged Cross was officially published in 1915 during the Billy Sunday evangelistic campaigns by Homer Rodeheaver and Virginia Asher.
The Old Rugged Cross speaks more of the writer's experience as a servant of God. Being a servant of God does not mean Christians are free from hardships and persecution—persecution not just for preaching Jesus Christ to others but also for living the Christian life. Bennard meditated on what the cross meant to his life. For him, the cross is the symbol of suffering and shame. Christ suffered on the cross that “He might sanctify the people with His own blood (Hebrews 13:12, NKJV).” If we choose this sanctification, we must follow that same path of suffering and shame: “Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach (Hebrews 13:13, NKJV).” The hardships we have to go through as Christ’s followers will test us if we are worthy to receive the crown of glory that Jesus Christ promised on His return (1 Peter 5:4). First Peter 4:13 (NKJV) says, “But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
An American Methodist evangelist and song leader named George Bennard (February 4, 1873-October 10, 1958) wrote The Old Rugged Cross. He traveled to different places to hold evangelistic meetings and to preach about Jesus Christ. In the fall of 1912, in one of his revival meetings in Albion, Michigan, Bennard received a mockery from his listeners. This inspired him to write The Old Rugged Cross. He finished the song during one of his other evangelistic meetings, and on the last night, Bennard sang The Old Rugged Cross with Ed Mieras and with Pearl Torstensen Berg as their accompanist. On June 7, 1913, with the help of gospel-song composer Charles H. Gabriel, the hymn was arranged for a quintet choir who would be singing The Old Rugged Cross at the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon in Pokagon, Michigan. The Old Rugged Cross was officially published in 1915 during the Billy Sunday evangelistic campaigns by Homer Rodeheaver and Virginia Asher.
The Old Rugged Cross speaks more of the writer's experience as a servant of God. Being a servant of God does not mean Christians are free from hardships and persecution—persecution not just for preaching Jesus Christ to others but also for living the Christian life. Bennard meditated on what the cross meant to his life. For him, the cross is the symbol of suffering and shame. Christ suffered on the cross that “He might sanctify the people with His own blood (Hebrews 13:12, NKJV).” If we choose this sanctification, we must follow that same path of suffering and shame: “Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach (Hebrews 13:13, NKJV).” The hardships we have to go through as Christ’s followers will test us if we are worthy to receive the crown of glory that Jesus Christ promised on His return (1 Peter 5:4). First Peter 4:13 (NKJV) says, “But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.
- Galatians 6:14 -
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.
- Galatians 6:14 -
Written by: Aimee DC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Old Rugged Cross
Composed by George Bennard
The Old Rugged Cross lyrics and chords
The Old Rugged Cross (hymn from Hymnary.org)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Old Rugged Cross
Composed by George Bennard
The Old Rugged Cross lyrics and chords
The Old Rugged Cross (hymn from Hymnary.org)
The Old Rugged Cross Piano Accompaniment |
The Old Rugged Cross Piano Accompaniment |