There you hang from two pieces of common wood,
As only a thief or murderer should.
Why do you not free yourself if you can?
Or are you merely, after all, just another man?
They claimed that you were ‘King of the Jews’.
The long awaited Messiah, come to pay their dues.
Now instead of a crown of gold, and precious jewels worn
You wear a crown of thorns to mock and scorn.
They brought you here this morning carrying a cross to die.
Beaten and scourged with blood running in your eye.
Where is your strength, power, and healing now?
Can you lift yourself up with a mighty vow?
Where have all the disciples gone this day?
Only a handful are here to see the end, their faith held at bay.
Even Peter thrice denied you in your need.
Could not his belief even bear to see you bleed?
I’ve followed you these past few days.
Listening to your words, a kingdom to come you did say.
Words and parables to shake my very foundation.
Truths? Preached to save me from condemnation.
I saw you perform miracles along the ways,
And feed thousands under the sun’s golden rays.
And I was nearly willing to accept the promise of a better world,
But only if you would lead me and overcome this world.
Are you merely mortal after all,
Simply born of humble folk in a manger’s stall?
And now they part your garments at your feet.
Has all your work led to our defeat?
You cried out from the cross, and to who-
“Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Can you really forgive them now from up there?
How can you suffer so and believe it’s fair?
And now your work is coming to an end,
And you cry, “It is finished.” Is it really the end?
No hope? No kingdom? Only another martyr?
And as I leave this hill I wonder ‘was this, maybe, the barter?’
K. C. Barry
Image is from the movie “The Passion of the Christ”
