Jesus the Crucified by E. M. Peebles

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 20, 1912

Jesus the Crucified

By E. M. Peebles

E. M. PEEBLES

O SAVIOUR, can it be a traitor there From thy Last Supper dares to go and make Compact to lead the soldiers to thy place Of prayer? Will they need spears and weapons strong To take this Man whose every touch and word Hast blessed the world? O, cruel plot so dark! We see thee now in lone Gethsemane, Craving the human watch, while bloody sweat Falls ’drop by drop on the cold ground; we hear The cry, “O Father, let it pass! the cup I fear to take, lest human strength might fail.” But yonder come the heavenly messengers To make him strong. And so they lead him out from Pilate’s hall, Where the mock trial has condemned to die; They lead him up toward Calvary’s height, bearing His cross, till fainting, lo! he falls beneath Its weight. Still on they drag that weary form, And ’tween two thieves they hang him up to die. Those hands, e’er stretched to bless, are pierced and torn; Those feet, which ever led to deeds of love, Are crushed with nails; and soldier’s spear has made That heart of thine yield up its store of love. That flowing crimson tide shall heal the wounds. Of sin-bruised souls, who’ll look to thee and live. Ah! yes, ’tis this that gives him strength to die. But O! what wonder nature hangs a pall Of darkness o’er the scene, and shuddering earth Flings open wide the graves of sleepers there To witness now this death! We hear him cry, “My God, my God! O why dost thou forsake Me in this dreadful hour?” Ah! thus must thou Drink to its dregs the cup of wrath ’gainst sin, And so be substitute for those thou can’st To save. “’Tis finished;” now the debt is paid, And loving hands shall bear thy form, so cold And still, to Joseph’s tomb, and leave thee there With Roman guard to keep. O puny man! How canst thou keep thy Maker in the grave, One who e’en now holds key of death and hell? When passing time has brought the limit of Thy power, one eager angel hastes to break Thy seal, and lead the Conqueror forth again No more to fall by cruel stroke of death.