The Death of An Innocent Man

 

I witnessed the scene of a horrible crime

Twas the death of an innocent man

This man had lived but a very short time

When the seeds of betrayal began

 

He had done no crime was the witness of men

that had known Him and dwelt by His side.

Yet still some condemned Him and put Him to death

And today I saw as He died

 

He did not fight to be freed from the trap -

Though clearly a trap had been set -

He simply stood quietly waiting His turn

to be be killed like a bird in a net.

 

He looked so serene like He'd known He would die

Almost as if he had planned

for all of His life to come to this place

To receive the nail in His hand

 

As if He could know or plan such a thing!

Tis impossible everyone knows -

The sign did say that He was a King

But of a king He did not wear the clothes!

 

He was naked and shamed, lifted up for display

Hanging there 'tween two wicked men 

Their crimes were well known, their punishment right

They were dying because of their sin

 

But, this man was diff'rent, no witness procured

could prove aught that wrongly He'd done

In fact they condemned Him for claiming to be

The Messiah and God's only Son!

 

If a liar He was, than rightly He died! ...but if not

Oh the thought my blood chilled

If not, and He was Who He said that He was

Then the Savior of all we had killed!

 

As I watched and He spoke, the ground shook, the sun hid

I trembled at what then transpired

He said, "It is finished!" In triumphant tone

And He died as His last breath expired!

 

As I stood there I thought, "This man was Who He said!"

And I spoke loud, that all round might hear

"Truly this man was the Son of God!"

I said it, and that without fear.

 

---------------------

 

He died then, not for His sin (For none had He done)

But He died for you and for all

That you might be saved and forgiv'n - giv'n Heaven -

If only on Him you would call!

 

~

Joshua Lancaster