On That Cross

Building from my last poem, I focused this time on the sacred weekend, about 2,000 years ago, that began with a cross and ended in worshipful celebration.

This poem is written from the perspective of a disciple – who watched Christ suffer, hid in fear when He was put in the grave, and rejoiced in the miracle of His resurrection:

“On That Cross”

It took till now to realize
with you up on that cross,
how far You’ll go for all You love,
regardless of the cost.
You told us you would have to die,
to ensure victory,
but I did not want to believe
it was Your destiny.
 
“Rejected and despised by men”,
I hear Isaiah say,
“He’s pierced for our transgressions”,
it all comes true this day.
I wonder how I was so blind
to all the prophecy,
You’re “crushed for our iniquities”,
You’re punished to bring peace.
 
It’s obvious You’re suffering,
seen in Your blood-stained face,
but something else is also seen,
the evidence of grace.
I finally see now what You meant
by total sacrifice,
the heavy burden of our sins,
required such a price.
 
…but fear and doubt overwhelm us…
 
As this day ends, You’re taken down
and placed into the tomb,
and all of us so close to You
now gather in a room.
We remember all Your miracles,
but just can’t understand
the reason why You had to die,
We’re questioning God’s plan.
 
We heard You say You would return,
back from the heart of earth,
Your death it would not be the end,
but it would bring new birth.
You said it to us several times,
You’d be back the third day,
yet all we saw seemed so final,
our hope turned to dismay.
 
…but You did what You said…
 
On the third day, You rose again,
emerging triumphantly,
sin and death were conquered then,
You set the captives free.
We now see how You died for us,
a gift beyond belief,
the punishment that brought us peace,
what a divine relief.
 
We all see things now differently,
because of what You’ve done,
we saw You die up on that cross,
You’re now the Risen One.
You didn’t need to make a way
to cover all our sins,
but in Your love You took them all
so new life could begin.

With the accounts we have in the gospels, we have a vivid picture of what it was like for His followers to witness His pain and suffering, to hide in fear and doubt, and then join together in stunned celebration when He returned, just as He said He would.

What a blessing it is to have these accounts and to know that He went to that cross for each of us as well.

So thankful for His sacrifice.

Rejoicing in the empty tomb!