Oh, Holy One! Iron nails pierced through holy skin Feet and hands and side, rigidly forced Against splintering wood - rough, uneven The pain, endured for us. For you, for me! That…is, our God – prepared to suffer to save us. But, oh! The unbearable separation at the point of death! Endured, to give life to all! Such pain! Such momentary loss – Greater than anything physical: ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ Jesus, knowing, yet unknowing. Depth of agony; height of love. The bridge erected – death to life: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life!’ Abandonment, in hope and trust. Channel of love from dark abyss to heaven’s light: Glorious, unbelievable, mysterious, drenching – The Chosen One, the Beloved Son who came to Glorify the Father and bless us with His Holy Spirit. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! Can we comprehend? Can we appreciate what God has done for us? For you; for me? Son, the very Son of God, struck down; pinned to a tree! Innocent Son of Man, the subject of hate and lies Taken, as darkness covered the earth. Jesus - body ripped, bruised, lacerated, bloodied Looking down with eyes of mercy and love On a sinful people; offering forgiveness Change, transformation, redemption, salvation The cost? His life, His pain, His trust, His promises, His hope - For you and for me. The Father, in agony; sharing his son’s pain Because He wanted to save us, Because he created us, Because he loves us, with a perfect love. God had to conquer death; negate its sting; Eliminate its power and destroy its lies. Death made possible by our sin and yet we were and are, And continue to be, oblivious. In denial – so ungrateful, so unbelieving Of what bears logic and simple truth: Hate for love, death for life, Cross for absurdity Guilt for innocence, lies for truth Jesus, Son of God, bought us eternity… He paid; we can receive His gift. Are your hands open to accept this treasure, without price? Blood dripping, falling on a damaged world Holy water, gushing from His side, blessing all Arms outstretched to draw a holy people Hands open, to embrace the Lost Heart beating, amplifying His holy love Feet, showing the Way: ‘Come, follow me!’ King, Conqueror, Healer and Saviour Victorious, sublime, everlasting, all-powerful, all-knowing Subduing enemies, making peace, forging love In the battleground of life Until the new Heaven is here: ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And, yes! I do believe. Amen.
