The Cross

Story ID:	3792
Written by:	JANET KESSLER POLUDNIAK
Organization:	JUST ME
Story type:	Poem
Location:	Cayuga NY USA
Year:	2008
Person:	While reading my Bible one morning, I was inspired by God's love for all mankind.

The artwork illustrating this poem is called,
JESUS WEPT by Eric Hollander. His artistry
can be viewed on the web.

The first photo is of a sculpture grouping in a local cemetary.

The other photo was taken at sunset of an old utility pole covered by dead vines. When I first saw it, I was taken by its similarity to a cross.

Wouldn't it be tragic to love someone enough to willing lay down your life for them and never have them acknowledge that love? That's what Christ did for mankind. It's sad that so many don't know, or don't care. While reading my Bible one morning, I was struck by the depth of His love for me--whether I respond to Him or not. It makes me want to crawl into his lap and let Him surround me with arms strong enough to embrace the whole world, yet gentle enough to hold the smallest child. What love!

The Cross
©2007, Janet K. Poludniak

Don't think My death to great a loss . . .
I chose to die upon the cross;
I let them pierce My hands and feet.
How could I fail the price to meet?
We are One! ‘Twas Our desire
to save the world from damning fire.

I saw My Father turn away
when sin was laid on Me that day.
The Sacrificial Lamb must die,
but in My pain, I had to cry:
"Why have You forsaken Me,
this sacrifice upon a tree?"

Then from My wounded heart I cried:
"It is finished!" and then I died,
but the greatest pain of all . . .
necessitated by the Fall . . .
was the sin of Adam's race:
the weight, the shame, the deep disgrace.

But three days later, I arose!
Men may doubt, but Heaven knows.
The truth revealed, you can't deny
and I invite you to reply;
only trust in what I've said:
I am alive . . . no longer dead!