The Cross Forever Empty

Finished

"ὅτε οὖν ἔλαβεν τὸ ὄξος Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν,

Τετέλεσται, καὶ κλίνας τὴν κεφαλὴν

παρέδωκεν τὸ πνεῦμα."

                                                                                          (John 19:30)

There stood the lone Cross, empty and horribly used.

There stood the mystified throng, silent and confused.

There stood the disciples, quiet in lonely despair –

"Where's my wonderful Jesus?  For He's no longer there!"

The Cross – It is so graceful.  The Cross – It is so crude!

On the Cross hung my Savior.  In my place He stood.

He is no longer there.  His task is completely done.

The Cross is now empty.  For my sin He did atone.

Dread marks remind me where viciously His hands and feet

Had painfully been nailed in supposed defeat.

Blood-stained holes in the Cross, nails three upon the ground,

Earth soaked by His blood, leave a message so profound.

The Cross, standing empty, reminds me of what's been done.

At history's apex, God sacrificed His Son.

Once for all, He paid the required penalty –

Jesus took upon Himself the wrath of God due me.

With Christians through the ages, I love His final word,

– The rescue of sinners, all the creation has heard.

Saved from the hell to which I was justly banished.

The Cross forever empty!  –  Said He . . . "It is finished!"

                                                                                                                                                                   J. Alton Davis

                                                                                                                                                                            © 2012

the Cradle, the Cross, the Crook, & the Crown

In the Cradle, came the Holy God to the ungodly!

Rough-hewn, and made to be the frame

In which the Creator, was humanly unveiled,

And to be known by His foretold name:

"Jesus", "Our Savior", as the angel revealed.

On the Cross, died the sinless Representative for the repentant!

Inspiring dread, and cut for the occasion

On which the Creator Himself would pay

The eternal penalty for our transgression –

Separation from the Father – on that historic day.

With the Crook, cares the loving Shepherd for His sheep!

Softly curved, and shaped for the guidance

By which the Creator cares for all

– Securing each soul in every instance –

Who trust Him to not let them fall.

Wearing the Crown, rules the gracious King o'er His creation!

Uniquely bestowed, and expressing the authority

Of the Creator, who all must obey.

None can resist Him, not alone or by majority;

But will eternally sing His glorious praise.

J. Alton Davis

                                                                                                                                                                            © 2012