Artist’s Statement

The refrain of the beloved hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” plus my own personal desperation for the shelter, grace, and mercy of Jesus poured out and personified at the Tree inspired this sculpture.

It seems that my own abandon to the Christ of the Cross fluctuates dramatically with circumstances. A ministry success loosens my experiential grip and weakens my perception of my need of Christ. In those times, the Cross seems an optional item and is relegated to the foggy background of my consciousness. Then, a failure or string of failures has me scurrying back to the Cross for solace and nourishment. In these cases, the Cross has front and center in my mind as I grab and cling and grapple for it with all my might. I created this sculpture in circumstances like the latter – those of pain and hardship.

In this piece, I sought to convey my own complete desperation for the Cross. The figure is somewhat non-descript, having lost his identity to the immense identity of Christ personified in the Cross. The tiny person leans wholly on the beam, his head buried in his arms. He’s clearly exasperated and weak. His weight rests upon the Cross, his legs are somewhat sprawled. He’s absolutely lost to himself as he casts himself upon that Cross. It’s all he has. It’s all he’s ever had – but in these moments, he knows that more clearly than ever. He is, as the hymn says, “clinging to that old rugged Cross.”

The cross itself towers above him. Faint bloodstains can be seen on the beams, reminders of the suffering that secured his forgiveness and acceptance. The Cross’s surfaces have been left somewhat rough, not refined, polished, or gold-plated (as many Evangelical ones are). It’s meant to be that way to reflect the grit of the One who did His work there 2,000 years ago. Truly, this Cross is a place of refuge. It is a place for cling-ers. It is place for me and it is a place for every Christian who knows better.

The beloved hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” does a good job capturing the message I sought to convey in this sculpture.

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.

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 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

The Old Rugged Cross written by George Bernard (1873-1958)