It’s not new, it’s not modern, it’s not old – BUT TIMELESS
There’s a timeless hymn that I think many will remember, especially those of you who ever went to a Billy Graham crusade whilst he preached at various venues around the UK. I believe George Beverly Shae sang this hymn at many crusades:
“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.”
Chorus
“So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, ‘til my trophies at last I lay down, I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.”
Verse 2
“O that old rugged cross so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me, for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above, to bear it to dark Calvary.”
Verse 3
“In that old rugged cross stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.”
Verse 4
“To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear, then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, where His glory forever I’ll share.”
It’s at the cross where heaven and hell, sin and forgiveness, death and life, love and hate, acceptance and rejection, believe and unbelief crash forces colliding against each other. The cross depicts four points; north, south, east and west. East and west points go where you like, but never towards north. South points down away from Jesus. North points upwards towards God.
When we are lost and have a compass, we are told “find TRUE NORTH then you can work your way home from there.” Spiritually this is true – find TRUE NORTH Jesus and you will be on the right road home. The front of the cross shows Jesus suffering in our place – Verse 3 “In that old rugged cross stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.”
At this the Psalmist 73 verses 21-22 says “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.” Realizing this he repents and continues verses 23-24; “Yet I am with you, you hold my right hand, you guide me with your counsel and afterwards you will take me into glory.”
The far side of the cross looms a shadow over those who have realized that Christ Jesus has indeed paid the price for their sins. They’ve repented and been cleansed with his precious shed blood and are forgiven.
Verse 4 of the hymn says “To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear, then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, where His glory forever I’ll share.”
Jude verse 24-25 says “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy, to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all ages, now and forever more, Amen.”
It’s TIMELESS
It’s ETERNITY
