A world long lost among the shadows of despair
emerges, beaming with new found hope.
Our souls, disconnected and searching for truth
stand no longer alone on a frayed, broken rope.
Our eyes lay unopened, unable to see
through the blindness engulfing our lives
but our own deadly sins faced a turbulent battle
when Jesus came and died.

Atop a lonely hillside drenched with the bitter perfume of death
stood the cross of trembling fear
awaiting salvation's quest.
The distant horizon kissed the day good-bye
fading out of sight
draping the sunset on the long-gone memories
creating a vision of light.

As dusk fell over the flourishing garden
in a moment all too soon
the piercing truth cut deep inside
by the light of the faithful moon.
Gazing up at the sapphire sky
falling down to pray,
Jesus called out to God
with His heart filled with sorrow
for strength for tomorrow's dark day.

With a kiss of betrayal came a violent arrest,
the convictions of the crowd's mighty roar.
He bore bravely the unrelenting burden of sin
that would dominate our hearts nevermore.

"Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" His tormentor's yelled,
His clothes bloodstained and torn.
"Hail, King of the Jews!" came the cruel, heartless shouts,
deeply wounding His head, a crown of thorns.

Nailed to a cross of merciless torture
enduring excruciating pain
He hung there in silence and humiliation
burning with undeserved shame.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?"
He cried out to the heavens above
as He took on the sin of our wretched world
with an eternal abundance of love.

He could have saved Himself right then and there
and ascended into the sky,
but He chose instead to save our unworthy souls
accepting His destiny to die.

When the hour had come and befallen the earth
and the voices of angels were heard
His labored breath grew shorter still
as He whispered His final words...
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know
what they are doing to me".
And with one last breath, as He slipped away
He fulfilled our father's dream.

His deepest sacrifice touches us all
with an incomparable gift.
In our hearts forever stands
the cross of salvation's lift.
A symbol of mercy
of undying grace
a truth of which we must never lose sight.
A message of undefeatable love
a promise of eternal life.