Untitled
by Anna T.

He felt the excruciating pain; the hard, splintering wood pressed against his back. The nails piercing skin and bone. Why had he chosen this road? He tasted blood. Dripping down his face, down his body. Open. Bleeding. Naked. And he hung there, struggling for every breath, feeling the weight of death. And the bright sky turned to darkness.

Arms stretched wide to welcome you…

And all the sin of the world came upon him; burdening, horrifying, maddening! Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Where was He? Where was the One of Life? He couldn’t feel Him anymore! The presence was gone. The pain and hurts and sicknesses of all mankind fell upon his shoulders. His words echoed throughout the ages: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And the angels cringed.

Arms held open to love you…

The angels were ready. Dressed in glory, prepared for battle. Waiting for the battle cry. But it did not come. The Man they knew was God was dying. If He had called they would have been there to conquer… to conquer sin and death forever. But He did not call. Was this the plan? Could it be… was this God’s mystery finally revealed? That He would die on the cross – despised and humiliated by the very men He came to save?

Come to me, says the God of love…

The temple curtain tore in two. The earth shook and the rocks split. Dead saints walked the earth. And the centurion fell on his face. An unbeliever proclaiming God’s news, “Surely he was the Son of God.”

The way is open, child. Just come.

…The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me…”

My blood was shed for you
I took your sins, your shame, your pain
I love you no matter what you do
Just come to Me, and call upon My name.

… In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me…”

Arm stretched wide to welcome you
Arms held open to love you
Come to me, says the God of love
The way is open, child. Just come.

… For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes…

It’s Your blood that cleanses me
It’s Your blood that gives me life
It’s Your blood that took my place
In redeeming sacrifice
Washes me whiter than the snow
Than the snow
My Jesus
God’s precious sacrifice