for human sin and shame Ere He return to God on high, the One from whom He came. He spoke to them more dearly than He ever had before, And they were grieved to think that they would see His face no more. “I go away,” they heard Him say in words of tender love; But He would send the Holy Friend, His Spirit from above. So Jesus drew Himself aside in old Gethsemane With fiery Simon Peter and the sons of Zebedee. He pled that they should watch and pray, for sorrow did abound. He went a little farther, and He fell upon the ground. In deep distress and loneliness He prayed with holy zeal; “Thy will be done,” said God the Son despite His great ordeal. But Peter and the others lay in slum ber from the start, Which added still more sorrow to His burdened heavy heart. He prayed as only He could pray; He prayed with all His might, For sorrow, anguish, grief, and pain were part of Him that night. In agony, more earnestly He sought His God in prayer, Till He was wet with bloody sweat, despite the chilling air. Three times He prayed, “Thy will be done;” three times He looked to God; Three times He saw the chosen few asleep upon the sod. Eire long He bade His men to rise; the traitor was at hand. And while He spoke, a mob appeared with Judas in command. His enemies, the Pharisees, were they behind the plan To come by night prepared to fight and take the Son of Man? He told them plainly who He was, and ere He did conclude They fell away upon the ground, be wildered and subdued. Then Judas heard the peerless voice which couldn’t speak amiss. 12
Epic of Easter (continued) Whose righteous hand would rule the land as with an iron rod. As Jesus sat among his men before the sacred meal, His heart was heavy with a weight that He would not conceal. His men had been contentious and they willed to disagree On who should be the greatest in the kingdom yet to be. The Master then rebuked His men by rising from His seat To humbly act with perfect tact — to wash and wipe their feet. The twelve disciples marveled at the manner of their Lord Whose quiet words of stem reproof were sharper than a sword. He taught a mighty lesson and He took His place again To share the sacred supper with humi liated men. But soon a spell of tenseness fell, for Jesus testified That verily, He soon would be be trayed and then denied. “Betrayed,” said He, “by one of you— betrayed and sent to die.” Then, one by one the men began to ask Him, “Is it I?” Oh, who would sell the Master to a place among the dead? Then Judas questioned, “Is it I?” He answered, “Thou hast said.” And Judas knew the words were true; his thought was brought to light. He left his place and in disgrace went out, and it was night. The men were stunned by what they saw, but failed to realize The magnitude of what was taking place before their very eyes. But Jesus knew His hour was come, and He must leave His own, Ordained of God to give His life for saken and alone. The chosen few were stirred anew as Jesus let them know The purpose of His life of love, the reason for His woe. His blood must flow for all mankind—
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