SermonStudio

Whoever first put up a cross
and hung a man thereon,
was in the devil's service
in a lofty echelon.

For torture was his motive
as his victim surely found
beginning with the moment
he was laid upon the ground
and iron nails were driven
through his wrists into the tree,
a torture, in itself, enough
to fill eternity.

The joints were pulled; the body torn;
the cross was stained with blood
when deep into its socket hole
it dropped with cruel thud.
Then, hanging there in torment,
every limb would rack with pain,
with mouth as dry as desert
bringing fire to the brain.

Such death upon a cross
is truly diabolical,
which makes the power of God to shine
whenever I recall
that God could take the devil's cross
and make a sign of love
that lifts us, not to torment
but to heavenly realms above.