Holy Saturday Reflection

The Cross, our Salvation

A reflection of Luke 23: 32-43

The people, including rulers and soldiers ridiculed Jesus and said, "… He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One… If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."  vs35-36 NIV.   Jesus Christ continued His mission until death. Like any child, He could have refused His Father, but Christ accepted His task with obedience. What a most painful task of bearing the emblem of all our sins.        

We know about the resurrection, the events after the crucifixion and burial, and can  acknowledge that Christ is King indeed.  It is also worth remembering the other remorseful criminal alongside Jesus and the significance of what the Lord said to him, "… today you will be with me in paradise."  What a promise of hope. 


The Old Rugged Cross

by George Bennard (1913)  

1.  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 my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

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.

Refrain

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.

Refrain

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.

Refrain

Source: Cyber Hymnal

Note:  The Old Rug­ged Cross was writ­ten in Al­bi­on, Mi­chi­gan. Or Po­ka­gon, Mi­chi­gan. Or Stur­geon Bay, Wis­con­sin. All three towns claim to be the birth­place of this hymn.