Father Forgive Them

The air hangs heavy,
My heart stands still.
They gather all around Me,
And hasten for the kill.

They tear My garments from Me
Undraped and naked here I stand.
While they prepare to crucify
The bleeding Son of Man.

It's hard for Me to understand
Or realize just why,
My death is made a mockery
Which makes My followers cry.

When just last week I spoke of peace
And everlasting love.
Apparently to deafened ears
And darkened skies above.

It was just last night I prayed,
"Father, if the will be Thine,
Take away this chalice...
This bleeding cup of Mine.

But yet, not as I will
But as Thy will be done."
And when pain shot through My heart,
I knew My hour had come.

A noisy crowd shatters the night,
My heart begins to race.
And then a traitor's lips,
Plant a kiss upon My face.

They scourged me at a pillar,
And whipped me till I bled,
But this was just a taste
Of the agony ahead.

A wreath of thorns upon My head,
I arched with every breath,
I went before the multitude,
They sentenced Me to death.

A cross I had to carry,
The splinters tore My skin,
The treacherous road to Calvary,
Was just now to begin.

The midday sun took its toll,
My knees buckled and gave way.
My heart was beating very fast,
As on the ground I lay.

My head began to spin around
And I felt the blistering heat,
I could not go on, and once again
Fell...at My disciples' feet.

I looked up at a tear stained face,
And even though they tried,
To hold back their emotions,
They looked at Me and cried.

I stumbled again and fell once more,
As time seemed to stand still.
Bruised and bleeding I arrived,
At the sacrificial hill.

And now I stand here naked,
Tormented by seething pain.
While nails are driven through My flesh,
And piercing every vein.

The agony is unbearable,
As spikes drive through the bone.
And they nail me to the cross,
To suffer all alone.

I now look down from My cross,
And see the brutal few.
"Father, please forgive them,
They know not what they do."

To My right and to My left,
The two thieves I behold.
One this day finds Paradise,
But the other's heart is cold.

Below me I can dimly see
those gathered at My cross,
Trying hard to hold back tears,
As they only see great loss!

"Woman, behold Your Son"
It hurts you, that I know.
I can see the torment in Your eyes,
As tears begin to flow.

Upon my robe they cast their lots,
To see who gets it first.
My whispered word goes unheard,
As I cry to them "I thirst."

My arms are getting weary,
And I am numb with pain.
The aching and the throbbing
Seems impossible to retain.

Now I hang here all alone,
For all the world to see.
My heart cries out, "My God, My God,
Why hast Thou forsaken Me?"

I see the sky above grow dark,
And not a sound I hear,
And I know deep inside My heart
That the end is very near.

Yet, My praise can ascend to my God
as from this earthly life I go
because I can say: "It is finished"
As Resurrection I will know!


"To Thy Hands I commit My spirit,
Father, take Thy Son."
I see the light of life go out,
"Father...it is done!"

author unknown