The Good News in Two Acts

Act One

On trembling legs, He dragged the cross
To the hill where He would die.
He knew He'd been abandoned,
Was not surprised He'd been denied.
He was kicked, and He was beaten,
With murderous intent,
He was humiliated just for sport,
As the crowd cheered for His torment.
Slowly, He moved up the hill
In response to the lash's painful urge.
His cries and moans became the music
For this unholy funeral dirge.
The son of God could not be recognized,
Beneath bloodied face and swollen eyes.
As He was crucified with criminals,
Three crosses silhouetted in the sky.
His disciples looked on in confusion,
Wondering why He wouldn't fight.
They knew, with very little effort,
He could destroy them all outright.
They thought He'd come to wage Holy war,
They believed He was the One.
But when He cried out, 'It is finished.'
Their dreams of liberation were undone.
They laid His tortured body down
In a borrowed tomb as cold as ice.
With teary eyes and heavy hearts,
They gazed upon the fallen Christ.
It seemed wrong to leave His body,
His flesh bloodied, bruised, and torn,
But it was Sabbath preparation day,
So they had no time to mourn.
They agreed to come back
When the Sabbath was complete.
Then they said a prayer for protection,
And wrapped His body in a sheet.
Despite their grief, they were forced
To leave their Rabbis' body all alone.
And as they went to their Sabbath duties,
They secured the Lord's tombstone.
© Linda Troxell

BUT THAT WASN'T THE END
STAY TUNED FOR ACT TWO
© Linda Troxell