;)
"Christ Scourged", Georges RouaultSeven centuries before Jesus the Messiah appeared incarnate here on earth, Isaiah was given these prophetic words,… words that described the suffering servant who was to come:
He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray….
—Isaiah 53: 3-6
We’ve Not Really Gone Astray
Lord, these faces we’re STILL hiding,
Still despising Truth revealed.
We continue Self-esteeming,
Meanwhile guilt remains concealed.
We insist that we’re not “sinners”…
Not so really bad at all!
All our teachers have convinced us
That there never was a “Fall”.
We’re quite proud of our “Evolvement”…
We’ve not really “gone astray”..
Thanks, but no thanks for your “healing”.
We’ve a better, broader way.
Father God, have mercy on us…
Take these blinders from our eyes.
Holy Spirit, give us vision,
By your Grace, Lord, make us wise.
Take us up that narrow path, Lord,
Where true Love and Justice met,
Yes, please take us up to Calv’ry
Where you paid our crushing debt.
Help us grieve our deep affliction…
Help us see the truth we lost…
Help us see our deadly Pride there,
Dear God, help us see the cost.
;)
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
—Luke 23:34