AFTER THE CROSS

After the cross, the harsh wooden cross +
the rough wood that tortured Him so;

After the wounds, the raw, bleeding wounds,
the stain of His blood as it flowed;

After the hatred, the beatings, the jeers #!*
the SPIT on His dear, precious face;

How could He love me still after my sin
condemned Him to die in my place? 

'Tis a mystery to me how a Savior such as He
could endure the cross, for joy awaiting after Calvary;

How He yearned to reconcile hopeless sinners
all the while, as He climbed the rugged road that
led Him to His destiny.

Knowing what God had decreed to provide
the sinners' need, He obeyed His Father's will,
just as foretold in prophecy.

"It is finished!"  He cried out,
with a conqueror's mighty shout,
and gave his spirit to His Father in the hard-won victory.

Three days later, morning dawned;  In the tomb --
His body gone -- Christ had risen! --
Mighty power of God displayed in majesty!

Through the years, that power lives on, bringing e'er
the victor's song to the tongue of every
blood-bought child in God's dear family.

With His resurrection power, He still lives
through darkest hour, while He leads us on
to reign with Him throughout eternity!

"From prison and trial they led Him away to His death.  But who among the people of that day realized it was their sins He was dying for -- that He was suffering their punishment?
.....Yet it was the Lord's good plan to bruise Him and fill Him with grief.
But when His soul has been made an offering for sin, then He shall have a multitude of children, many heirs.  He shall live again and God's program shall prosper in His hands.
And when He sees all that is accomplished by the anguish of His soul, He shall be satisfied and because of what He has experienced, my righteous Servant shall make many to be counted righteous before God, for He shall bear all their sins."
from Isaiah 53, Living Bible

THANK YOU, DEAREST LORD JESUS!