Old Rugged Cross

George Bennard, 1912

What This Song Teaches Us About God

This hymn centers on the cross not as a piece of jewelry or a wall symbol, but as the physical, historical place where Jesus was executed. George Bennard does not romanticize it or soften it. He calls it “rugged” and acknowledges what the Roman world knew — crucifixion was the most degrading form of execution, reserved for the lowest criminals and slaves. The cross was a scandal.

On that shameful instrument, something decisive happened. Jesus, who was without sin, died in the place of sinners so that they could be forgiven and brought into a right relationship with God. The songwriter says he “cherishes” the cross — not because suffering is good in itself, but because of what it accomplished. What the pain achieved was of incalculable worth. The hymn then makes a forward-looking promise: those who trust Jesus will one day exchange the cross for a crown. Jesus bore shame so that we could share in His glory — from death to resurrection, from the cross to the crown.

Scripture Connections

• Galatians 6:14 — Paul declares that he will boast in nothing except the cross of Jesus Christ, which is exactly the disposition this hymn expresses.
• 1 Corinthians 1:18 — The message of the cross is called foolishness to those who are perishing, but the power of God to those who are being saved — explaining why the world saw it as shameful while believers hold it dear.
• Hebrews 12:2 — Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame” for the joy set before Him, which mirrors the hymn’s movement from shame to glory.

Clarifying the Language

“Emblem of suffering and shame” — An emblem is a symbol or representation. The cross was a symbol of the worst kind of death and public disgrace in the Roman world. Bennard is acknowledging this reality before declaring why he treasures it anyway.

“Trophies at last I lay down” — “Trophies” here means achievements, accomplishments, or things we might be proud of in our own lives. The image is of arriving before God and setting all of that aside, because none of it compares to or adds anything to what Jesus did.