Christ’s Suffering

THE PRICE IS PAID; THE VICTORY’S WON

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, when we focus on Jesus’ suffering and death for us. But we want to be sure we don’t focus on the suffering and death without including the victory that resulted from it. I wrote this poem this week to celebrate all that Jesus did.

THE PRICE IS PAID; THE VICTORY’S WON

Mankind was bowed beneath the load of sin and shame.
But in the fulness of God’s time, the Savior came.
He walked as man and lived obedient to God’s law.
Then took upon Himself the sin and curse for all.

His sorrow was so deep it turned his sweat to blood.
In agony He prayed alone, misunderstood.
He cried “Dear Abba, can You find another way?”
But when no way was found, He rose up and obeyed.

The scourging ripped His body; thorns punctured His head.
Nailed to the cross, unclothed, He cried aloud and said,
“Father, forgive them; they do not know what they do.
I’ve done Your will, and now my spirit comes to You.”

The arms of death did grip Him tight within their hold.
The devil felt supreme and in his hate grew bold.
But suddenly God’s voice was heard: “The price is paid!”
And all the underworld began to reel and shake.

The Spirit of Life, who had created all that’s seen,
From Heaven came down and filled Christ’s body once again.
He rose to life victorious over sin and curse,
And in that life now reigns over the universe.

Lenten Poems – week 1

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. A few years ago I wrote 7 poems during Holy Week — or Passion Week — leading up to Easter Sunday. This year in commemoration of our Lord’s suffer, I’m going to repost those poems on each Wednesday in Lent — and then post the last of the 7 on Easter Sunday. I hope they bless you and inspire you to gratefully meditate on how our Lord Jesus suffered for our sins and in our place to work our total redemption and salvation.

 

CROWN OF THORNS ULTRA MODERNBARABBAS

My heart pounded
As they dragged me out.
They stood me close beside Him,
And I looked about.

The crowd was frenzied:
With rage and raw disgust.
I wasn’t sure the real cause–
Why they fumed and cussed.

I glanced beside me
To catch a glimpse of Him,
But what my eyes saw in His
Convicted me within.

When guards shouted,
“Who is it going to be?”
Then I understood they’d choose
To set one free.

“Free Barabbas!
Set Barabbas free!”
I could not believe my ears:
They chose, not Him, but me.

“What of Jesus?”
Then asked the guards.
“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!
He is not our God!”

My shackles fell off:
By law a free man.
Pilate called for water then
And there he washed his hands.

The day grew dark
As He hung there,
Upon a cross with thieves each side,
Then He said a prayer.

He prayed, “Forgive them.”
Did that include me?
When He said, “It is finished!”
I knew He’d died for me
— Barabbas.

 

 

 

 

Poems of Passion Week – Day 1

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

 

CROSS WITH CROWN OF THORNS - BLUEWell, I started off okay with NaPoWriMo, but as the days progressed, I haven’t kept up my end of the challenge. I don’t think I need to make that one of my goals this year. However, I do have a similar goal, though shorter. I am setting myself the task, during Passion Week, of writing one poem a day about the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I want to focus in some special way on His suffering and death, and then His glorious victory and resurrection for my sake.

I can’t think of a better way than to create a poem every day from today – Palm Sunday – through Resurrection Day – Easter Sunday. In fact, since much of the church in several parts of the world celebrates Easter Week (the week following Resurrection Day), I think I will even write a poem for Easter Monday of that week as well.. I hope these poems add to your commemoration of our Lord’s loving sacrifice and to your celebration of His glorious salvation.

 

Here’s Today’s Poem:

 

SACRIFICE

A crown,
A diadem,
A shackle placed upon the brow.

Bestowed
Contemptuously,
And scarlet robe on shoulders bowed.

The grief,
The agony,
The tortuous, mutilating pain.

All born
By Innocence
To give me peace and health again.

A cross,
On Calvary:
To execute the Father’s plan.

A tomb,
Now empty stands:
He’s paid the price for every man.

~

 

 

 

~~~