Innocent

Upon the brow moist with sweat,

glistening crimson drop.

Body tired, exhausted aches,

burdensome weight of grief.

Hands torn, impaled anguished

from which the body hangs.

Piercing pain the feet uphold,

weary body, sorrow’s thorn.

Torso gored through ribs,

Below, a pool of watered blood.

Distressed pangs of tortured flesh,

seems the torment of mankind.

May be the warrior’s hell,

of a war captured victim,

or ravage of night’s stalker.

This mortal… afflicted more,

suffered within raked soul.

Betrayed, a broken heart,

scapegoat for another.

Price paid for another’s deeds,

willfully submitted.

A slaughtered lamb,

martyred ransom.

Life laid down for others,

no greater than this, for another,

of love, to give one’s life.

Thorny crown piercing brow,

perspired blood declares a King.

Entire flesh aches within,

lives lost to iniquity.

Hands staked outstretched,

surrendered life for sin.

Feet nailed upholding weight

foundation laid for life.

Speared ribs, broken heart,

water flows, pools below.

Broken flesh, distressed pangs,

price for man’s iniquities.

Cost to save from hell’s hold.

warfare against Satan’s lies,

in death, life’s victory.

Mortally afflicted by man,

suffered for wretched souls.

In love, from God’s own heart,

scapegoat for you, for me.

Your price paid with scarlet blood,

willfully shed to conquer death.

The Lamb on victory’s tree;

ransom martyred.

Life renewed on scandal’s cross,

greatest gift was this,

God’s love, His Son, for you.

Roger W Hancock © 6-2-2002