Good Friday...
The Crucifixion
The soldiers forced Him up that hill, Golgotha,
Where many others died in infamy;
They nailed Him to a cross, and there they raised it—
To take the place of man—sin’s casualty.
The scribes and Pharisees mocked with derision
“Come down from there, if You're the Son of God!
And save Yourself, for then we will believe You!”
(They cast aside religion’s foul façade.)
Two common thieves were crucified beside Him,
On right and left with Jesus in between;
They joined with those below as they reviled Him,
Attendants in this fiendish, loathsome scene.
But one of them repented with entreaty:
“Remember me when You Your kingdom see.”
Then Jesus in a measured speech responded,
“Today you'll be in Paradise with Me.”
Thick darkness clothed that vile, repulsive setting
From full on noon until the hour of three;
The earth was darkened (prophecy of Amos),
While Jesus hung and suffered on that tree.
Then Jesus cried out loudly in that darkness,
“My God, oh why You have forsaken Me?”
And then He cried out, saying, “It is finished!”
And yielded up His spirit willingly.
The soldiers overseeing this assignment—
They knew His death was diff’rent, even odd;
Their awestruck leader, with a knowing comment
Said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”
Donald Penn Neal
from Hosannas Led the Way
Copyright 2020
