Old Rugged Cross Interpreted by Hector Jordan at Decatur Methodist Church

Опубликовано: 17 Апрель 2025
на канале: Decatur Methodist Church Decatur, AL

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The Old Rugged Cross interpreted by Hector Jordan

The Old Rugged Cross has been the most favored of the approximately 300 songs written by George Bennard.

George served for several years as a Methodist preacher and had a favorite scripture verse, John 3:16. When quoting the verse, he seemed to always have a vision of a cross — a crude Roman instrument of death. It was stained with the blood of Christ, who gave his life in order that we might become Christians.

On one occasion, as he was thinking of Christ’s crucifixion, an original melody ran through his mind. Although it was a complete melody, very few words came with it. He struggled to write some appropriate lyrics, but all that came was the passage, “I’ll cherish the old rugged cross.” The song seemed to take shape in bits and pieces.

He returned home with a renewed meaning of the cross etched in his mind and heart. He took the song manuscript and placed it on the kitchen table. In a very short span of time, he was able to rewrite the stanzas with each word falling perfectly into place. He asked his wife to join him in the kitchen. She did so and he joyfully sang his prized, new song. She was very pleased, expressing that the song was great.

Bennard said what countless other songwriters say, “I really didn’t write it. I was merely the instrument God used.”

“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring 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 some day for a crown.”`

“And he, bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of the skull, which is called in the Hebrew Galgotha: Where they crucified him.” — John 19:17-18

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