Crucifixion

    My intent when I started the following poem was to write about the revival service I had just attended in which the pastor shared 2 Timothy 4 whereby the pastor is charged to to preach the Word "in season, and out of season".  Then in verse 4 the scripture goes on to say that the time will come when the people will not endure sound doctrine and will turn away their ears.   How true this is. 

    We live in a time where there is a moral standard of living that does not go along with what the Bible has to say, and sinners, such as us, don't want to hear sound doctrine or to change our way of life. When we listen to what a pastor councils, according to what the Bible teaches, there is often discord with the pastor, or he simply becomes what we describe as not a very likable person.  From this, I intended to compare the crucifixion of Jesus with what the pastor often has to endure, but the words did not fall into place.  However, it would be good to remember that just as Jesus came for a purpose, the pastor is charged with a purpose.  Jesus was not liked, and, often, the pastor is not liked if he truly councils from the Living Word of Life with those who have closed ears.     

 

     CRUCIFY HIM

Jesus came to give us life,

but the people created strife.
They shouted, “Crucify Him!”

Jesus healed the lame and raised the dead;

many followed where He led;
yet, in the end, He was denied.
Even Peter exclaimed, “I know Him not,”
before he wept and cried.
 

Jesus came to give us life,

but the people created strife.
They let a murderer go free
to watch our Savior being nailed to a tree.
A crown of thorns was placed upon His head;
still they mocked Him as He bled.

 “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!
He is not our King,” they said,
“He is not the Living Bread.”
And they watched as His blood was shed. 

Darkness covered the land

as Jesus hung by the nails in each hand.
In agonizing pain,
He never once complained. 
The people shouted, “Crucify Him!”
But our Lord pled, “Father forgive them.”
                            Mary Crisp Jameson – 2-21-2013
 

…My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?  And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.  March 15:34b, 39