This morning, I did a funeral service for Joe Lander, known all around town simply as “Jaggers.” He was 90 years old, our congregation’s 3rd oldest member, and someone I visited regularly since coming to West Newton. At the outset of the service, the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” was played.
As I stood in the funeral home listening to the Old Rugged Cross this morning, I tried to let the words envelop me. I hadn’t heard the hymn in awhile, and I find it rather appropriate both for the season of Lent and for a funeral service. I leave you with the wonderful poetry that the hymn provides. May the Holy Spirit move these words through your hearts as they moved through me earlier today.
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.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till me trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
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.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where his glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain
No comments:
Post a Comment