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.
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.
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.
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.
Respond to the following questions by posting your answers in the discussion.
A.) What do you think about Jesus declaring that he is the truth and that those who follow actual truth listen to him? How do you think this would be received today if Jesus said the same thing in your community, neighborhood or workplace?
B.) Christians believe that Jesus is King and Lord and that His ideas are not just better than other ideas, but true and right and good. What does this mean for you as a Christian social worker and how you will assess ideas and theories you encounter in your practice in light of truth?
C.) What concerns do you have about the possibility of conflicts between your beliefs about truth and practicing as a social worker? Explain.
D.) Knowing that Jesus, truth, and the message of the cross is resisted or even despised at times by the world, what makes it worth it to you to follow him, even if it might lead to confict, loss or persecution?
