As we start this Easter week I post the poem below, in which I do my best to sum up some of my feelings about what happened during that week so long ago. The central act of eternity began on the Thursday night, and so the poem concentrates on that evening.

As I ponder the events of that evening, I imagine the night being very still, with stars shining – the universe itself almost holding its breath, witnessing the events that would unfold.  And today they remain as silent witnesses themselves of the greatest act in history.

It is marvellous to me that He would willingly suffer such horror, so that we might have peace, but such is the love He offers us….

Night’s Reminders

The stillness of night,

Such peace it gives;

The comfort of guardian stars.

The sun, though not seen

Is not gone, but lives;

As the glow of the moon testifies.

 

And we wander o’er sands

Aside moonlit seas,

Light shining from waters becalmed.

The warmth in our hearts,

Minds untroubled and free,

Give assurance of Gilead’s balm.

 

For we know that our paths

May not ever be smooth.

Yes, pains and sorrows we’ll see.

But our griefs will not last

Because of this truth:

One suffered for you and for me.

 

On a night

Nearly two thousand years in the past,

A stillness again in the air;

Those guardian stars

No peace could impart

For the One who bore our despair.

 

Though He was God’s Son

Beloved and True,

Owed nothing but kindness and love;

Though his life was a sermon

Of perfection on view,

Of serving His Father above;

 

Hell’s worst was unleashed,

Vitriol spewed

In unending torrents of hate.

The pain that He felt

Was great – but it grew

Till carrying eternity’s weight

 

The pressure

Would mark His flesh that night

With the pains of all women and men.

Our sins were the cause

Of that awful sight;

Of blood seeping through pores of His skin.

 

The stars, and the moon,

And trees too, had sight

As a drop slowly fell to the ground.

And agony’s groans

Broke the stillness of night:

The sum of our cries was His sound.

 

Apostles too

Were there in the trees –

As witness to what there took place.

They saw our Dear Lord

On bended knee;

Saw Him fall to His face.

 

As drop after drop

Of His precious blood

Stained the ground beneath His feet,

The witnesses watched,

As best they could,

Till His suffering was complete.

 

His hurt we cannot

Know or name;

We cannot comprehend

The suffering Of He

Who took our blame;

To the depths he was willing to descend.

 

Though infinite

The pain He bore

The victory was won.

He paid the debt

To justice and law,

Hell’s captives’ chains undone.

 

But not just law

Was satisfied –

All pains He sought to mend.

No matter the cause

Of mankind’s cries;

His mercy will extend.

 

Why would one perfect

Be so bold

As to suffer so willingly?

For love

He endured anguish untold –

His love for you and for me.

 

That we might not suffer

The tiniest part

Of what He that night endured.

And if we approach Him

With broken hearts,

His promises will be sure.

 

And stars and moon

And heavenly throngs

Rejoice in His redeeming name.

Angels and prophets

Join celestial songs

His majesty to proclaim.

 

And when I now walk

Through life’s night-time chill;

When the sun has hidden its light,

The glow of the moon

Reminds me still

Of His power and of His might.

 

And the stars in heaven

That sit above

And look down on His daughters and sons;

That witnessed

His act of supernal love;

They remind me: the battle is won.

 

How grateful I am

For the gift of peace,

That comes because of His grace,

And knowledge

That one day all tears will cease

And we enter His embrace.

 

By Jeffrey Collyer