We’re at the point of no return on our Lenten journey. A Holy happening is imminent. The day we call Good Friday has arrived. God’s eternal, infinite, unconditional Love is hanging on a cross, made a public spectacle and disgrace for us.
Jesus is marred, pierced, blood-stained and, briefly, just beyond His Father’s reach. The day has dawned when sin meets Saviour, mankind meets its Maker, and our guilt, shame and pain are nailed to a cross of wood, held in place by Love alone, His amazing grace about to be made known.
We can only watch and wonder, our minds unable to fully fathom or clearly comprehend what we see. Our Holy God poured out for you and me….
Bearing infinite love
Jesus, you see faces, look into souls, hear the heartbeat
of every person on the street. You don’t see a faceless throng
pressing together like a swarming sea of anonymity
Even those who barely give you a glance, and those who
sneer, swear or spit as you carry your cross, filled with
venom, hate, while you bear only infinite love and grace
How can it be that you bear them no grudge, not even
an ounce of animosity, your heart contracted in love
laced with waves of pity? Yet you know it is their sin
pinning you to a cross, their rage ripping your back
to shreds, their nameless hate nailing your helpless
hands as you reach out, surrendered to your fate
And as blood pours from your many wounds, you are
wounded more by the unaccustomed distance, a cloud
between you and your Father, as he has to turn his face
away from his sin-bearing Son, leaving you alone
for the first time—you feel distant and lost—as you
hang limp, wretched, almost ready to give up the ghost
Finally, the darkness steals into your soul, making you writhe
within, and you know it won’t be long before you cry
it is finished, and mankind’s release has been secured
by your poured out blood. You gasp out your holy sigh and
rest in death’s embrace for a while—as skies darken and a
curtain is rent to signal the start of a new, living covenant
©joylenton2017
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” ~ Isaiah 53:4-5
Poetry Joy 
God hold you gently in the Awe of This Most Holy Day.
Thank you for this gift, Dear Joy. ❤
Cheryl Anne, it’s hard for us to try to describe the awe of this Most Holy Day, but I am grateful to add my faltering words if they help reveal something of the great cost of our wondrous salvation. Being “held gently” is just what we need as we try to fathom this deep Mystery of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Thank you, sweet friend! xo ❤
Dear Joy,
Thank you for such sweet words for this day. What can I know of suffering such as He bore? He carried every wound, yet He chose to forgive even then. My heart fills with conviction as I see so many weaknesses that are still left in my low and fleshly way of living here. But thank the Lord that He offers me that same forgiveness, even now.
“How can it be that you bear them no grudge, not even
an ounce of animosity, your heart contracted in love
laced with waves of pity?”
These are words that fill my heart with hope today! He brings that same love into my own heart now! Much Love and Hugs and Blessings to you my friend! May Jesus shower you with His love this weekend! xoxo
Dear Bettie, would you believe I hesitated in posting today? A few days ago, when this poem was suggested to me from those I file for use some time, I felt it might be too dark, too stark even. And the song (plus the rather harrowing video) is one that always makes me cry, so was likely to bring out a similar response in those who could bring themselves to watch it. But I still sensed that God was asking me to publish it anyway.
And then I read the words you wrote: “He brings that same love into my own heart now!”, which highlight just why I needed to be faithful in sharing my own. If your heart has been filled with Hope, then I am rejoicing with you, sweet friend! Our minds can scarce take it in, but Christ died to release us all from the penalty of sin. May you rest in that glorious fact as you celebrate all it means to you. Thank you for desiring me to be showered with God’s love. That’s one rainfall I am truly thankful to stand under and become saturated by! Blessings and love. xoxo
thank you Joy. a heartfelt reflection…
Thank you, Nancie, I’m so glad this reflection has spoken to you! Have a blessed Easter weekend, my friend. xo
and you too!
My heart hears the word “bear” as the poem’s bass line, underscoring all:
He bears “the cross,”
our “sin,”
bears it all with “infinite love and grace”
yet bears “no grudge.”
You reanimate the story for me, Joy. What a gift on this day of remembrance.
Praying that same Spirit that raised Him continues to empower you and Phil to bear all things by His grace, my friend.
Laurie, you know that thing when you’re too closely connected to the words you write to be able to hear their message as fully as you could, or appreciate the subtle nuances more discerning poetic ears can hear? Well, that’s what’s happened here. I sense a reanimation of the poem as you perceptively draw out the heartbeat thrumming through the lines I’ve penned. Thank you for your gift of listening so attentively and making these lines come alive in a whole new way for me! May I return your lovely blessing to you and Dreamer? And I fervently hope and pray you are both able to rest in God’s grace and healing power to lift your spirits and raise your man from the grip of sickness. Let full healing come, Lord. May it be so, Amen. I’m so blessed by you being here, my friend! xo ❤
Oh, I know exactly what you mean! Another pair of eyes (and ears) is such a help.
How wonderful to be able to give you a back an expanded glimpse of what your heart was already saying. Makes me smile.
And yes, I receive that blessing with all my heart (and pull you two into it with us). Thank you!
Dear Laurie, I am thinking of and praying for you and your beloved one today. May you be held fast by Grace, warmed by Love, strengthened with Hope and enlivened by the Joy of the Lord. Blessings, love and hugs across the pond! xo ❤
Great stuff! The cross is a reminder of God’s love for all of us!
Amen, Tara! It certainly is. Easter provides a perfect reminder of God’s amazing love. Have a blessed and happy weekend, dear friend! xo
Dear Joy, your poem really brings home the truth of what Christ suffered for us. It’s hard to think about all that he suffered, but he did it because he loved us so much. We like to skip to Sunday, but we need to remember that his sacrifice was great. He gave all for us, but with it he brought us hope and I am grateful. So we can celebrate the Resurrection with joy for what it all means. Thank you so much for your beautiful words of love and hope.
Many blessings to you with love and hugs!! xoxo
Dear Gayl, it does rather stop us in our tracks when we contemplate all that Christ went through to secure our freedom, doesn’t it? And all “because he loved us so much.” Precious words which offer us so much hope! Thank you for all you add to the conversation here, my friend. I’m always blessed and encouraged whenever you stop by and leave a comment. Abundant blessings, love and hugs to you on this wondrous weekend! xoxo
Reblogged this on Pastor Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
Such powerful thoughts, Joy… intense and heartfelt