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Cross & Calvary · Easter

The Old Rugged Cross Still Stands

Listen first. Then read the words, explore the Scripture pathway, and follow the song beyond itself to Jesus.

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**Verse 1** I was lost—and oh so far away, But Mercy came—Jesus saved the day— Some say nails held His body in place— But to me—it was amazing Grace. **Chorus** And the old rugged cross—still stands His shed blood gives hope to all the lands. That precious old story— Still speaks of His grace and glory. His payment meets death’s demands Because the old rugged cross—still stands. **Verse 2** My heart was heavy, weighted down with sin, But He took all the weight—when He drew me in. Now every burden—put to rest, Jesus gave His all—when God sent His very best. A full pardon—all will receive— When in the name of Jesus—you believe. For He came not to condemn— But all to save—who trust in Him! **Bridge** No fear in darkness, no fear in death or the grave, Satan can’t steal my joy—that Jesus gave. Sin and death defeated when the stone was rolled away— The tomb was empty—on Resurrection Day! **Verse 3** Raised and ascended—back in power—over all— Till that day—we hear the trumpets call. And we rise and reign forevermore— Oh what a day—when we reach the golden shore! **Final Chorus** And it’s all because—the old rugged cross—still stands His shed blood—still gives hope—to all the lands. That precious old story— Still speaks of His grace and glory. His payment meets death’s demands Because the old rugged cross—still stands. **Tag** Sooooooo—I will forever glory in His cross— The price He paid to save us all from being lost— He bore all our debts, our sin and shame— Jesus paid it all—oh bless His Holy Name! Sooooooo—I will forever glory in His cross— The price He paid to save us all from being lost— He bore all our debts, our sin and shame— Jesus paid it all—oh bless His Holy Name!
Ministry Devotional

The Old Rugged Cross Still Stands

Read together: John 10:14–18; John 3:17–18; Galatians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, 20

More than a century ago, George Bennard wrote "The Old Rugged Cross," and believers have been singing it ever since. This song honors that old hymn with a declaration: The old rugged cross still stands. Fashions change. Cultures shift. Empires rise and fall. But the message of the cross has not lost its power.

The first verse includes a line worth pausing over: Some say nails held His body in place—but to me, it was amazing grace. That is not just poetry. It is deeply true. Read John 10:14–18. Jesus said, "I lay down My life for the sheep… No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again." The nails were real. But they were not what kept Jesus on the cross. He could have called legions of angels. Love held Him there.

The chorus says the cross gives hope to all the lands and meets death's demands. Sin carries a debt, and death demands payment. At the cross, Jesus paid it in full. That is why the cross still stands—not as a monument to tragedy, but as a declaration that the debt is settled.

The second verse adds a crucial truth: He came not to condemn, but all to save who trust in Him. Read John 3:17–18. "God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned." Many people think of the cross as a symbol of guilt. In truth, it is the place where guilt is removed. A full pardon all will receive when in the name of Jesus you believe.

The bridge moves from the cross to the empty tomb. Sin and death defeated when the stone was rolled away. The cross and resurrection belong together. Read 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, 20. Paul summarizes the gospel: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, He was raised on the third day, and He appeared to many witnesses. "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." A cross without a resurrection would be a sad ending. A resurrection without a cross would leave sin unpaid. Together, they are the gospel.

The third verse looks forward: Raised and ascended—back in power over all—till that day we hear the trumpet's call. The story continues. Jesus reigns now, and He will return.

The tag echoes Paul's words in Galatians 6:14: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." The song says, I will forever glory in His cross. We do not glory in the cross because suffering is beautiful, but because of what Jesus accomplished there: He bore all our debts, our sin and shame. Jesus paid it all.

Perhaps you have heard about the cross your whole life but never knelt before it yourself. The old rugged cross still stands—and the invitation it offers still stands too.

A moment to respond: If you know the old hymn, sing or read its words today. Then read John 10:17–18 and thank Jesus that He laid down His life willingly—held not by nails but by love. If you have never trusted Him, today is a good day to receive His pardon.

Let's pray: Lord Jesus, thank You that the old rugged cross still stands. Thank You for laying down Your life willingly, held by love, not nails. Thank You for coming not to condemn but to save. You paid every debt, carried all our sin and shame, and rose again. We will forever glory in Your cross. Bless Your holy name. Amen.

Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that you would find in the old rugged cross the same thing believers have found for generations—grace that still stands.

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