THE CROSS

On Calvary hill In a barren land
stands a wooden cross 
with a tortured Man.

A soldier's curse 
The jeering horde, a rattle of dice,
parts the robe of our Lord.

Tried three times 
before the jew; three times
tried  by the Romans too.

The only words to pass His lips,
were Jesus' claim to Messiahship.

The shouts arose to crucify;
for blasphemy this man shall die.

The numbing drink 
refused  by the Son,
The nails were driven; 
the deed was done.

Father, forgive them,
they do not know;
these words fell deaf 
on the crowd below.

One thief railed, with anger
cried; the believing thief 
 granted paradise.

These words to the mother, 
"Behold thy son!"
Her life  commended to
Christ's loved one.

 His words speak not 
of physical cost. 
But the terrible anguish 
of innocence lost.

"My God, my God
Why hast  thou forsaken?"
But to honor the Scriptures
God's love had  been taken.

His humanity shown
by the statement  "
I thirst."   With the 
words "It is finished,"
then Christ's heart burst.

As  David predicted no
bones had been broken;
but His body was 
pierced as Zechariah
had spoken.

The blood and the water 
flowed from His side,
full proof to the Roman the
Savior had  died.

The sky turned gray, 
then stygian black.
The veil was rent,
the rocks did crack.

The   curse of the law
removed from the land;
the new age given, 
the Kingdom at hand.

On Calvary hill in 
a barren land stands
a  wooden cross
with a glorified man.
For eternal life,
blessed with God's grace,
Christ gave His life
for the human race.

 Dewayne Holm
From the Baptist Bulletin March 1991

 Alas, and did my Savior bleed,
And did my Sov'reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

 Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown,
And love beyond degree!
 

 Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut his glories in,
When Christ the mighty Maker died

 Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calvary's cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt mine eyes to tears.

 But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do.

Chorus