Paid In Full, For You Poem by Paul Sebastian

De-robed they mocked me to shame
My crown, made of twisted thorns
Before my people, I stood blamed
Cried for my death, I stood disowned
Father, they know not what they do
Your great love, if only they knew

Humiliated to wearing only my loin cloth
They stretched me at scourging post
Spray-whip's spiked bobs, tore flesh off
With thirty-nine lashes, life half lost
I took it all for the love of you
Your salvation, my only view

Robed me to cover the ghastly stripes
Carrying the heavy cross, you I thought
Last Supper's meal, gnawing hunger gripes
Thorns pierced, face bloodied, pain throbbed
Weight of the world on my shoulders
By my stripes, promised healing to sinners

Bloodstained face figured on Veronica's kerchief
Tearing women felt my agonizing sorrow
Seeing I asked, they for their own children, grieve
Living Tree today suffers; you, tomorrow
I took suffering for your sins
Would you grief for your sins?

Mid-day sun burnt, struggled to carry the cross
Simone of Cyrene helped to lift the heavy load
Fell thrice, upon me the weight of the cross
Staggeringly I paced up destiny's Calvary road
Would you pick up the cross to follow me?
Would you pick up after falls, a disciple be?

Stripping my robe tore blood-dried wounds
Throwing me down on the rough cross, rudely
Stretching my cramped arms, they nail my palms
Pounding my feet together, mercilessly
Sound of nail pounding, heard by Jerusalem
Was my deep cry of agony heard by them?

My hoisted body hung on nails, in excruciating pain
Blood-drained, muscles cramped, dehydrated, thirsty
Offered vinegar on sponge, meant to drug my pain
Chose full measure, unto death for salvation of many

Were you there with me?

I go to my kingdom, come follow me
Inherit the paradise I have prepared for you
Choose to live in truth, you will be set free
Carry the cross, follow me, be blessed few
Will you be there for me?

16.2.2016