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Do you know the hymn, ‘The Old Rugged Cross’?

Q1. From Verse 1… (Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct lyrics)

On a hill far away, stood an old rugged Cross
The emblem of ________ ____ _______,
And I love that old Cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

a/ glory and power     b/ faith and pride     c/ suffering and shame

The crucifixion was not invented by the Romans. The Persian Empire first used it around 550 BC. It was meant to be the most horrible, and humiliating execution possible. To simply execute a ‘criminal’ they had many other methods, for example, beheading.
– There was no delay or right of appeal in the Roman Empire. If the Governor so decided, it was done, quickly and irreversibly. And some executions were meant as a lesson for any other insurrectionists. For enemies of the state, they made the spectacle as public, humiliating, and long drawn out as possible.
– This was a way to advertise, so to speak, what happens to any who oppose Roman Rule. They would be nailed to a cross, in a public place, so everyone passing by could hear them scream and watch their death agony for a couple of days. Then their body would be left on the cross to feed the birds and dogs.

– The Romans figured that this would deter others from following such people, and I expect it was a very effective way of keeping people subjugated to their reign.

– This bears witness to the dilemma of Pontius Pilate the governor of Judaea recorded in…
Luke 23:13-24 (ESV) Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,  (14)  and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.  (15)  Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.  (16)  I will therefore punish and release him.”  (18)  But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”—  (19)  a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.  (20)  Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus,  (21)  but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”  (22)  A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.”  (23)  But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed.  (24)  So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.

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Q2. From Verse 2… (Circle the correct lyrics)

Oh, that old rugged Cross so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me.
For the dear Lamb of God, left ____ _______ ______,
To bear it to dark Calvary.

a/ His office uptown     b/ His glory above     c/ all His wealth

SEE Luke 9:18-22 (CEV) When Jesus was alone praying, his disciples came to him, and he asked them, “What do people say about me?”  (19)  They answered, “Some say that you are John the Baptist or Elijah or a prophet from long ago who has come back to life.”  (20)  Jesus then asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah sent from God.”  (21)  Jesus strictly warned his disciples not to tell anyone about this.  (22)  Jesus told his disciples, “The nation’s leaders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law of Moses will make the Son of Man suffer terribly. They will reject him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life.”

— This same question that Jesus asked, “What do people say about me?” – Still separates those who truly KNOW Jesus, from those who only know who Jesus claimed to be.

(Quiz continues on Pg.#2)

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Q3. From Verse 3… (Circle the correct lyrics)

In the old rugged Cross, stain’d with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For t’was on that old cross, Jesus suffered and died,
To ________ ____ _________ ___.

a/ transfer riches to me     b/ deliver glory to me     c/ pardon and sanctify me

SEE Romans 3:25-26 (CEV) God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus.

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Q4. From Verse 4… (Circle the correct lyrics)

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 ____ ______ ________ ____ ______.

a/ His glory forever I’ll share     b/ the sun’s shining all day     c/ I’ll dance rejoicing all day

SEE 1^st Corinthians 15:50-57 (CEV) My friends, I want you to know that our bodies of flesh and blood will decay. This means that they cannot share in God’s kingdom, which lasts forever.  (51)  I will explain a mystery to you. Not every one of us will die, but we will all be changed.  (52)  It will happen suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye. At the sound of the last trumpet the dead will be raised. We will all be changed, so that we will never die again.  (53)  Our dead and decaying bodies will be changed into bodies that won’t die or decay.  (54)  The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true, “Death has lost the battle!  (55)  Where is its victory? Where is its sting?”  (56)  Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin.  (57)  But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!

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Q5. From the Refrain… (Circle the correct lyrics)

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 ____ __ _______

a/ and be found     b/ for a town     c/ for a crown

SEE the Apostle Paul’s writings in 2^nd Timothy 4:7-8 (CEV) I have fought well. I have finished the race, and I have been faithful.  (8)  So a crown will be given to me for pleasing the Lord. He judges fairly, and on the day of judgment he will give a crown to me and to everyone else who wants him to appear with power.

For a look at how we will honor God with our ‘crowns’ see Revelations 4:10-11. (KK)

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In closing, I have the song ‘The Old Rugged Cross‘
(Click here to hear it on YouTube) 

(Click here for PDF copy of Pg.#1)

(Click here for PDF copy of Pg.#2)