On The Cross of Calvary (A Poem)

      On the Cross of Calvary

Outside Jerusalem on a hill called Golgotha

Three crossbeams are seen in the morning fog,

Bearing three men accused, sentenced, incarcerated.

It is the end of their lease on life, the beginning of eternity.

Images, actions of each are carried down the narrow city streets;

Imprinted thoughts fasten on citizens, rulers, soldiers and us-

Reflections, through numerous centuries since

Upon which to ponder, to pray, to teach, to take action.

Prisoner #1: incorrigible, condemned by law-abiding men;

Is he another Job, whose days seem to end without hope?

His face is stretched tight by years of anger, resentment;

His body, rough, gnarled with lines like the age rings of a tree.

 Within his center of self he is alone, thinks alone, sees no one;

 The absence of light, of love, does not disturb him.

 Evil, the force of Satan, controls both body and soul;

 Regret, repentance, reconciliation have passed by him.

 Therefore, all is  lost.

 The center instrument of torture and death holds one

 With no stately bearing with head aloft toward heaven.

 Strong in Spirit he takes upon himself man’s brokenness and sin.

 Arms stretch outward as does the arms of His Heavenly Father

 Gathering to Himself wandering Israelites and lost souls.

 Though deeply suffering he projects a mystical serenity

 As tears silently fall down his bloodied façade;

 Tears not for himself, but for others-

 Those standing beneath the cross, those yet uncreated.

 This is Christ, the Redeemer.

 A third man is affixed to a similar beam,

 Of average height, average weight, average breadth of body,

 He is everyone taking on the form of all, with one difference.

 Light has penetrated his body,

 Breaking through to his core, his heart, his soul.

Faintly at first, light expands

With beams of truth, of love, of hope, of freedom.

Seeing Christ, he has chosen life, light, over darkness and evil.

At long last, he can respond with unwavering faith,

“Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”