The Longest Yard (Of Jesus, Not The Movie) Poem by Luke Easter

Just finished watching a remake, The Longest Yard,
Which one was the best? That’s not too hard,
This touchdown drive is not about football and jail,
From the shedding of blood, this One would prevail.

I still remember my astonished 19-year-old daughter,
Dad, are you serious, they really made this movie before?
If the first one with Burt what’s his name was so good,
Why would anyone waste the time to make it anymore?

Why do so many movies end up as another remake? ,
To say 'Why make this one again for heaven's sake? ,
This was one of the biggest flicks when I saw it in 1974,
I started thinking about something over 2000 years before.

Understanding more about the walk we must make,
How to respectfully measure steps needed to take,
It’s definitely not straight and narrow, yet a winding road,
More often than not some have to carry a very heavy load.

Neither is this about any type of athletic game,
Although the end result sought is clearly the same,
A goal, home run, three point shot, ace, first and ten,
So the bottom line is not how to play, but did you win?

Then there’s the path taken by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Much longer than a yard but with the ultimate sacrifice,
How many before or after would be willing to pay this price?
That involved a beating & suffering, volunteering your life.

A future world where most would not acknowledge you,
Unbelief about pain and hardship our Savior went through,
Enduring all still having love and compassion to say,
Father forgive them, they no not what they do anyway.

Yes, my brothers and sisters it was a very long and lonely walk,
Did Jesus complain, call angels at the ready? No! He didn’t talk,
As God watched this from heaven, it had to be so very hard,
Looking back I realize this indeed was, The Longest Yard.