The Story of Barabbas: A Lesson in Substitution
My guilty knee is bended on freedom's hallowed ground,
The judge, with hand suspended, and hammer poised to sound,
As many laws lie broken, by one so cruel as I,
Sad words of justice spoken, have sentenced me to die.
A life to sin so wasted, each pleasure swift has passed,
The sweetest morsels tasted, so bitter seem at last.
Now desolate and stranded, all hope has fled away,
A price has been demanded, that I alone must pay.
I dread the mocking invite, I fear the soldiers key,
The looming dark of midnight, in God's eternity.
My precious chains discarded, the ushers leading hand,
By none 'til now regarded, before them bowed I stand.
Their spiteful concert blending, a sad and cold refrain
To heaven clear, ascending, the chorus of my name;
Their law as one defending, its words and terms enforce,
But hearts not comprehending its meaning nor its source
With rigid motion scheming, before "their God" proclaim,
Yet loud their notes, blaspheming, to desecrate His name,
With passion unrelenting, their hearts as one agree,
A broken power, consenting, to set this prisoner free.
My pardon freely gifted, the price would all be paid,
My guilt in full was lifted, and on another laid.
Condemned but yet untainted, I watch Him take my place,
The lines of purpose painted, across His holy face.
My bonds to Him imparted, my chains with joy forsake,
I watch His journey started, His shackled steps to take
Up to the mount ascending, my freedom for His loss,
His fading breath expending, to drag my heavy cross.
They forcefully impale Him, with nails reserved for me,
And lifted up, unveil Him, for mocking eyes to see.
My substitute suspended, God's object of delight,
When mortal cruelty ended, hangs hidden in the night -
An intimate enclosing, of judge and victim bare,
No sentence light imposing, nor strike of justice spare.
The arm of law inflicting, in perfect blows divine,
No act of love restricting, nor rays of mercy shine
There from the gloom revealing, upon my altar laid
His death my peace now sealing, my debt His blood has paid.
Craig Stewart
