This planet – the earth, so pure first of worth,
Fell down the abyss, losing all bliss.
But Love Divine, so sublime, descending from light
Meets the black of the night.
Covering Divinity, He came in human frailty.
Love in Person full of truth – this must clash with minds uncouth.
No one taught and spoke like He, convincing with authority,
He healed the sick and raised the dead, brought light and comfort to the sad.
His humble garb, His lowly fare, offend religious leader ever more,
He‘s not the One we waited for – their hopes were smitten to the core.
His wisdom, knowledge startled them, a man unlearned, just Joseph’s son,
Could not reconcile their haughty notion, once more to be a nation
Free from Romans’ iron fist, but not by Him, He is the least!
Messiah came to save His own, but most decided not to loan,
Their heart to truth divine and pure, rejecting heaven’s only cure,
To heal from sin- the Serpent’s (Satan’s) bite, that ravished mankind thus with might.
Despite rejection, brutish blame, Jesus did for what He came.
God’s will be done – straight to the end, never yielding to one bent,
To ease the load of suffering, that soon came crushing over Him.
Gethsemane – oh dreadful night – Satan’s fury pressed with might,
Sins’ horror, guilt and awful blight. “Jesus, give up that monstrous fight!”
But love for sinners – hating sin, gave Jesus strength from deep within.
He cannot give man up – He takes the bitter cup.
(Though Satan tried to vex) He drinks it to the dregs!

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Meanwhile the leaders filled with hate, conspire to one hellish scheme –
To condemn Him falsely – we’ll get rid of Him.
Then Judas played into their hands, his Master – Jesus – and this ends
For him all hope – reckoned not the mighty scope,
His kiss of falsehood would unleash – that miserably he soon would perish.
“His blood upon us, crucify Him!” this shout their guilt now reached the brim.
This password off from hell’s dark loom, was sealing their eternal ruin.
Brutal insult, treachery, set the scenes on Calvary.
Cruel spikes are driven through those gentle hands, the tender feet –
Pleasing devils, hateful Jews – once in Judgment they must meet.
To make the most of scorn, malicious fury, the ultimate of mockery –
With piercing thorns they crowned their King, it is a tale that angels would not sing.
The Lamb of God – the Innocent, did not offer one complaint.
He yielded freely, though He knew it is crushing agony.
The Holy, Pure is now made Sin, vivid anguish ravished Jesus all within,
Then the Father’s love withdrawn – O how He felt so all forlorn…
“Why hast Thou forsaken me?” the cry, so bitter, echoed through the sky.
He cannot see a ray of light, His mind is darkened from the might,
Of passing through the gates of hell, the penalty on Jesus fell.
The broken law – He must endure its justice – that is death for sure.
Horrid pain seized His frame, even though ‘t was not the same
As His soul’s great agony on the cross of Calvary.
As Substitute for fallen man, He bore the guilt, for this He came.
None was with Him, all were gone – He tread the winepress all alone.
The Father’s heart can bear no more, “It is enough!” the angels weeping sore,
Oh, what it cost, to save a world so lost!
Sorrow for the human woe, ripped the heart of Jesus, tore
It, broke it. “It is finished” now the price is paid, then laid
His spirit to the Father’s care. It’s over – Jesus is no more…

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This was the darkest day for Israel – they killed their King Immanuel!
To some the midnight in their soul – would never lift to make them whole.
The earth did shake, the veil was rent,
The people quake – “What all this meant?”
What transpired at the cross, at first did seem that all was loss,
And dreadful sadness filled the hearts, of those who followed Jesus’ steps,
Had failed give ear to what He said would come, thus now with grief were overcome.

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Then wonder, oh disciples listen! “Christ the Son of God is risen!”
Mary shouts for joy her face is beaming, “This cannot be, you must be dreaming!”
“Hail, peace to you”, and there He stood right in the midst of them who could
Not grasp that Jesus lives and is around – now their gladness knew no bounds!
Now salvation was secured, the broken law restored.
The ransom paid – with what a price! To rescue the lost human race.
The gates of Heaven opened wide to welcome all who would not hide,
Their love for Christ, His yielding sacrifice, to heal the soul from sin and vice.
Never man the depth of love, bestowed upon him from above,
With justice, mercy all combined, can fathom with his finite mind.
Through eternity the saved will raise, with joyful voice their praise,
What Love Divine, so sublime, with His blood and death,
Has bought to free the cursed from sin’s decree of wrath and death eternally.
Remember Judas – oh that cursed name, for ever soiled with hideous shame.
Beware – your lot be the same to sell your Saviour for cheap gain –
His sacrifice to be in vain!
For what the Saviour’s heart does cherish, is that none of Adam’s children perish!
Who are chained to Satan’s slavery, are not able to brake free,
From its grip so firm and tight, even so they try to fight
The war on sin so on their own, alas, but never ever had one won!
The answer to the sinner’s malady, is to look to Calvary,
Where on the cross one died to heal, to restore God’s image fair and real.
In those who take by childlike faith, the blood of Jesus for forgiveness,
So freely offered by God’s grace, will ever make the saved amaze.
Then honour Him with full surrender, the heart, the will, the life to render
Allegiance, homage, all to Him who saves from sin and deadness.
With gratitude and joy and gladness, tell others eager with great awe,
Of the gift of Love on Golgatha!

Edda Tedford, Canada