Anthem Lights - The Cross Medley: Jesus Paid It All / The Old Rugged Cross Lyrics
Lyrics
I hear the Savior say
"Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness, watch and pray
Find in Me thine all in all"
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
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
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 someday for a crown
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete
"Jesus died my soul to save"
My lips shall still repeat
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Video
Hymns Medley: Cross Medley (Jesus Paid it All, The Old Rugged Cross) | Anthem Lights
Meaning & Inspiration
Anthem Lights delivered a powerful interpretation with their 2018 release, "The Cross Medley: Jesus Paid It All / The Old Rugged Cross," skillfully weaving together two cornerstone hymns of Christian faith. This medley doesn't just combine songs; it presents a cohesive narrative of redemption, sacrifice, and the enduring hope found in Christ's work on the cross. The original hymns, born decades apart, each carry profound theological weight. "Jesus Paid It All," penned by Elvina M. Hall in 1865, centers on the profound truth of Christ's complete atonement for sin, emphasizing humanity's inability to pay the debt and God's boundless grace. "The Old Rugged Cross," composed by George Bennard in 1913, shifts focus to the enduring significance of the cross itself—once a symbol of suffering and shame, now transformed into the ultimate emblem of love and salvation, inspiring personal devotion and commitment. Anthem Lights honors these individual legacies by allowing their messages to resonate clearly, then amplifying their combined impact.
The medley commences with the tender declaration, "I hear the Savior say / 'Thy strength indeed is small / Child of weakness, watch and pray / Find in Me thine all in all'." This opening beautifully sets the stage, immediately establishing humanity's inherent fragility and our absolute dependence on God. It echoes themes found in Scripture, reminding us, as in Philippians 4:13, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God's power is made perfect in weakness. This recognition of our smallness leads directly into the core message of salvation: "Jesus paid it all / All to Him I owe / Sin had left a crimson stain / He washed it white as snow." This segment powerfully articulates the essence of the Gospel. "Jesus paid it all" resonates with Romans 5:8, proclaiming that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, a sacrificial act detailed in 1 Peter 2:24 where He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree. The vivid imagery of sin leaving a "crimson stain" that is "washed white as snow" directly references Isaiah 1:18, promising forgiveness and purification that makes us blameless before God, a cleansing made possible by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). This profound truth underscores that the debt of sin, which we could never repay, has been fully satisfied by Christ's sacrifice, offered freely through grace, as Ephesians 2:8-9 declares.
Seamlessly, the medley transitions from the completed work of atonement to the enduring symbol of that work, inviting us to contemplate the cross itself. "On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross / The emblem of suffering and shame." This line transports us to Golgotha, acknowledging the historical brutality and the societal disgrace associated with crucifixion. Yet, this instrument of agony becomes something far more profound through Christ. Philippians 2:8 speaks of Jesus humbling Himself and becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross, bearing the ultimate shame so we might find honor. The ensuing verse, "And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best / For a world of lost sinners was slain," shifts the perspective from historical fact to personal affection and profound gratitude. The cross, once a symbol of shame, is utterly transformed into the epicenter of divine love, fulfilling John 3:16 where God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. It is here that the song elevates the concept of personal dedication and a life devoted to Christ, not just His historical act.
The latter part of the medley extends this commitment into a lifetime of discipleship and future hope: "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 someday for a crown." To "cherish" and "cling" to the cross signifies a continuous, active commitment to following Christ, even when it means carrying our own crosses as Matthew 16:24 commands. It speaks to an endurance in faith, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2-3). The phrase "till my trophies at last I lay down" powerfully conveys humility, recognizing that all earthly achievements and accolades pale in comparison to the glory of Christ and His redemption. It aligns with Philippians 3:7-8, where Paul counts everything as loss for the sake of knowing Christ. The ultimate hope is encapsulated in the promise to "exchange it someday for a crown," a vivid depiction of eternal reward and fellowship with God. This speaks to the "crown of righteousness" mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8, the "crown of life" promised in James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10—a future glory awaiting those who remain faithful. Anthem Lights' medley skillfully unites these foundational truths, offering not only a reflective look at Christ's sacrifice but also an inspiring call to a life lived in response to such immense grace, encouraging every person to embrace the cross not just as an event, but as the guiding principle of their existence and the source of their eternal hope.