As daybreak touched a darkened sky

and the mist began to clear,

I watched a shape up on the hill

take form as morning neared.

On his knees a man, it seemed,

his head bowed low, was praying.

From where I stood I barely heard

the words that He was saying,

I heard Him pleading, “Father,”

and then firmly, “ As You will.”

I couldn’t move, I know not why,

I stood there awed and still.

I could have spoken, wanted to,

but simply hesitated.

He turned and when I saw His eyes,

I knew why I had waited.

I stood, I can’t recall how long,

I stood there simply staring,

For never had I seen such eyes,

so full of love and caring.

He rose and walked toward some men

who nearby lay asleep.

I heard Him ask, “Could you not

one hour’s vigil keep?”

He spoke of cruel betrayal,

and of the hour being NOW,

When one that they had trusted,

would bring Him death somehow.

I saw a crowd approach Him,

and I heard one call Him, “Master.”

Then soldiers took the man away,

I knew not why ‘til after....

(Continued next column)

After He was taken, and judged,

then cruelly treated,

After priests spit in His face,

convinced He was defeated,

After Pilate told the crowd,

“I find no fault in Him.”

After cries of “Free Barabbas,”

but Jesus? “Crucify Him!”

After he had struggled up the hill

to Calvary,

After He forgave the ones who nailed Him

to a tree,

After “Father, please forgive them,

they know not what they do.”

After men had mocked Him, shouting, 

“Jesus, King of Jews.”

After taunts of “Son of God,

why can’t you leave the cross?”

After watching His poor mother weep,

so helpless in her loss.

After soldiers cast their lots,

for the simple cloak He’d worn

I could only stand and stare,

shaken by such scorn.

Crying, “Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani,”

His head fell and He died.

The veil of the temple ripped apart,

the tombs were opened wide.

I turned to leave, but then the ground gave way

beneath my feet,

The sky turned black, and darkness fell,

though day was not complete.

I struggled to my feet and ran,

not knowing where to go,

Others followed, terror reigned,

the wind began to blow.

Then all at once, the earth was still,

the sun replaced the dark.

In fear the crowd began to wail,

some tore their cloak apart.

I reached the inn, I know not how,

and stumbled through the door.

The room was silent, no one spoke,

as I walked across the floor.

I stepped inside my room and quickly

packed my things away.

But no matter where I traveled,

I could not forget this day.

I heard that He was buried in a friend’s

tomb late that day.

They sealed the entrance with a stone,

so His friends would stay away .

Guards were placed outside the tomb,

to watch both day and night.

The priests were so determined

to prove that they were right!

It seems that Jesus, all along,

had said He’d rise again.

That on the cross He’d have to die,

to save the world from sin.

I heard that when the women came,

His body to prepare,

An angel of the Lord appeared

and said He was not there.

(Continued next column)

They say that later He appeared to

5 score men or more,

His followers were said to be

more faithful than before.

Then one day, they watched Him

leave the earth upon a cloud,

Surrounded by God’s Angels,

holy anthems ringing loud.

He promised He would intercede

for those who call on Him.

That nothing was impossible,

He’d always answer them.

He promised some day to return,

to claim His chosen few

To take them up to Heaven,

where their souls He will renew.

The blood He shed at Calvary

was shed to save us all,

Right now would be the best time

to answer Jesus’ call.

Don’t wait until tomorrow,

’cause tomorrow may not come,

Pray now, receive your Savior,

let your heart become His home.

The End

(Paraphrase of events described in the gospels of

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)