A golden glow tinted the sky
As the birth of a new day began
The sun broke free from her womb on high
Welcomed by nature who joyfully sang.
The sun, in brightness arrayed
Turned everything she touched to gold
Her granduer and majesty fully displayed
Like king Midas of old.
Amidst this grand coronation
Stood a man on top of a hill
With shoulders drooped in dejection
Pondering his task, deathly still.
Anguish grips his heart as he utter this cry
"Why does it have to be by my hand
That this Righteous Man must die?
Why me? I don't understand!!!"
The Righteous One is brought before him
His body bruised and torn
His painfilled eyes had grown dim
His exhaustion like a garment was worn.
Oh, the love and compassion
The soldier saw in those painfilled eyes
And in his heart lingered a question
"Does He really deserve to die?"
A hush suddenly settles over the crowd
As the Nazarene approaches the cross
He staggers, but remains upright somehow
His body weak from blood-loss!!!
On the cross He laid Himself down
Spreading His arms like the wings of an eagle
His face bloody from the thorny crown
His blood and perspiration mingled.
Before the soldier could do anything
He fell heart-brokenly to his knees
Before the One who claimed to be King
And in his heart, he knew he believed.
Blow by painfull blow the nails went throug
The hands and feet of the Righteous One
Piercing bone, marrow and the cross too
Leaving nothing undone.
Oh the excruciation pain He bore
As the cross was lowered into the ground
The nails, at His hands and feet tore
Yet from His mouth, came not a sound.
An agonizing cry suddenly shatters the silence
"Eloi, Eloi, lama-sabach-thani?"
The words came from the Man named Jesus
"My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
A sudden darkness came upon those assembled
Lighting flashed across the sky
The thunder rumbled, the earth trembled
And from the crowd, arose a terrified cry!!
The heavens opened, pouring forth her wrath
Hurling down rain and hail in rapid succession
People were running back and forth
As pandemonium reigned without recession!!!
"Father, into Thy hands I commit my Spirit"
Jesus uttered, with faltering breath
"It is finished. The price is paid. We did it!!!"
Then He hung His head in death.
The soldier standing near the Righteous One
Fell on his face with a heart-rending sob
"My Lord, what have we done
This Man truly was the Son of God!!!"
Heloise S Ryan HeloiseR@mibfa.co.za
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.