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83. JESUS (24)
You gave Your all for people when You left Your home above,
Emptying Yourself of everything, except Your infinite love,
You saw how lost the world was, and so hopelessly going astray,
And You reached out, regardless of the cost, in order to show us the way.
You cam to the earth as we all did – tiny and helpless and weak,
And You grew day by day in great wisdom, yet were gentle and tender and meek,
You honoured Your God-given parents, every moment, in every way,
A perfect example of childhood – willing always to hear and obey.
Then, when at last You reached manhood, standing upright, strong, true and tall
You set out on Your mission, while Satan tried to get You to fall,
Yet You knew what was right and You did it, although it was often so hard,
And though tempted and tested severely, You stayed sinless because You were God.
You were never too tired or too busy, too indifferent or too unfeeling
to spend each moment in teaching, and in reaching out, and in healing,
You came to mend men’s broken lives, both their bodies and their souls,
though many didn’t understand Your purposes and goals.
They thought You’d come to conquer and to loose their captive chains,
They never thought You’d come to cleanse and wash away sin’s stains,
They only wanted freedom from the anguish and the strife,
And did not care that You could give them everlasting life.
They loved to see the miracles (which You can still perform
by bringing back to life the dead, and calming every storm)
And though You did great wonders – changing water into wine,
They never saw that You were God – unique, supreme, Divine.
The crowds all clamoured ‘round to see what next it was You’d do,
Not many cared about the words You spoke, so clear and true,
They wanted You to touch them and to take away disease
but they seldom asked forgiveness, in repentance, on their knees.
You were always busy doing helpful, kindly deeds,
And never stopped a moment to think about Your needs,
You cared so much for people in their pain and hurt and fear,
And wept because they were too blind to see that You were near.
In God’s own time He sent You, in mercy, love and grace
to be the Sacrificial Lamb for a sinful, dying race,
And those who waited for You as Messiah, when You came
they cursed and spat and mocked You and insulted Your dear Name.
Although You were the Son of God, You had no earthly home,
No place where You could lay Your head, for You were forced to roam,
Right from the hour You came to earth, man always turned You out
And “No room here!” and “Crucify!” is all they ever shout.
The people who had praised You when You first arrived in town
now turned away with scoffing, laughing at Your thorny crown,
When Roman whips tore ribbons from Your flesh, they saw it all,
But they didn’t cry in protest as Your blood began to fall.
You didn’t have to do it – You could have let us die,
We all deserve God’s judgment, this no-one can deny,
Yet even in the Garden when You knelt in prayer – alone,
You surrendered to Your Father and did not seek Your own.
Oh Jesus, when I think about the things You did for me,
With that heavy cross upon Your back, You walked to Calvary,
When rusty nails were driven through each gentle, outstretched hand,
My eyes are filled with tears of shame for this salvation You have planned.
I have no right to point at those who mocked and pierced Your side,
It was for sinners such as I that You were crucified,
It was for me You suffered and I broke Your loving heart,
For in the anguish You endured, I played a major part.
I cannot understand it all, but thank You just the same,
that to this evil world two thousand years ago You came,
And through Your death You conquered the hold sin had on man
And rose triumphant from the grave, and soon will come again.
Used with permission
SJA
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