Poetry On Purpose

The Cross

I have a picture in my mind of what the cross was like,
And when I hear about the cross, emotions start to spike.
It is the symbol people wear to show what they’ve believed,
Yet many failed to understand all that the cross achieved.

One thing we see that Jesus did was carry his own cross. (John 19:17)
How many people carry now their sin, their pain, and loss?
It tells me that I should discard those things that weigh me down.
The Bible says to cling to God so nothing steals my crown. (Rev. 3:11)

Next, as I search the Holy Book, I see a central theme:
God had a plan right from the start for souls he would redeem. (Eph. 3:6)
He sent his Son to die for us upon a wooden cross (John 3:16)
To pay the price for all humankind, a debt of sin and loss. (Isa. 44:22)

His sacrifice was so extreme, I cannot comprehend
What he endured to pay my debt; I’ll find no better friend.
For at the cross where he was slain, his purpose was fulfilled. (Matt. 8:17; 2 Cor. 1:20)
My sin is gone, got washed away when Jesus’s blood was spilled. (Rev. 1:5; 1 Cor. 6:11)

The agony that he endured is more than I could bear.
Imagine what the scene looked like if you were standing there.
It makes my heart want to explode; it is too much for me.
The gruesome scene that did unfold, I wouldn’t want to see.

For he was nailed upon a tree, the spikes right through his hands. (Acts 2:23)
A crown of thorns stuck on his head, all part of God’s own plans. (Matt. 27:29)
The cross became the focal point; his death had paid the price. (1 Cor. 7:23)
To think that he hung dying there while soldiers rolled their dice. (John 19:24)

His final thought was to forgive; with all that he went through,
He asked his father to forgive, they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)
And even when his side was pierced, another sacrifice, (John 19:34)
He found a way to bring a thief with him to Paradise. (Luke 23:43)

They offered him some vinegar and gall for him to drink, (Matt. 27:34)
But Jesus would not drink it, so his mind could clearly think.
For Jesus knew the prophecies and everything at stake. (Ps. 69:21)
So even though he thirsted much, he chose not to partake. (John 19:28)

I couldn’t begin to understand how deep God’s love could be, (Eph. 3:18)
Until I saw his mercy flow while he bled on that tree.
He let himself endure all this and die so I might live.
No greater gift, no bigger price could my Lord ever give. (1 Pet. 1:18)

Another thing that makes me know the depth of what took place
Was the separation Jesus felt when sin blocked out God’s face.
The Trinity was ripped apart; our sin had caused the rift.
He thought God had abandoned him, although he was God’s gift. (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34)

All of Hades thought God lost; they all began to cheer.
What were the odds that they would see a risen Lord appear?
For Satan thought the cross would be the scene where he would win.
He did not see that God had planned to cleanse us from our sin.

For when Christ died and went below, what happened next is key.
For Jesus went to Satan’s throne and set the captives free.
He took the keys for death itself, their kingdom ripped to shreds. (Rev. 1:18)
All of Hades now in shock, they must have scratched their heads.

For God had planned it long before; it was no accident.
The cross is more than just a fight; it was the main event.
The story of the cross is more than how my Savior died,
It showed how Satan could not win, no matter how he tried.

So now when I think of the cross, I have a different view.
It speaks to me of promises that Jesus made come true.
Our Lord had died so we could find atonement for our sin. (Ps. 79:9)
No matter what we face in life, with God we always win. (Ps. 44:7; 1 Cor. 15:57)