There once was a man who lived long ago

Although in some ways he was ordinary and plain

In others, He was unusual by everyone's view

No one has not heard His name.

He was born a simple carpenter (Mark 6:3)

But a scandal surrounded His birth.

His mother could have been stoned by law

If His "father" had declared it a sin. (Matthew 1: 18-19)

He was unknown 30 years of His life,

Then in 3 years changed the course of history

While in His adult years He never stepped foot outside of Palestine,

His influence has reached the ends of the earth

No one can deny its wonder.

He was well hated, His teachings radical

His enemies greatly outnumbered His friends

He was also famous and widely popular

Thousands followed Him in the streets.

He taught all to have peace and good will,

Though it caused violence for generations

And though He openly rebuked religious leaders,

He never once broke a law.

Many expected He would be the Messiah

To deliver Israel from the Roman Empire

And give the nation the power it once had

To rule the world once again.

This man did not do this

To most everyone's disappointment.

But the rumor still spread, and the Rabbis grew nervous

Once an irritation, now this man was a threat! (John

11:48)

People all around Him knew what was coming next

This "rebel," was soon to die by the Romans

Like many "false Messiahs" before Him.

After a remarkable life, this man

Died the worst of all deaths:

Betrayed to His enemies by a closest follower;

All other friends turned and fled for their lives.

Beaten, whipped, pierced with thorns,

Probably starved for over a day,

Barely able to stand, forced to carry His cross

Up a steep, rocky hill, while haters spat and insulted.

Finally, stripped, full exposed to spring wind

And the pained eyes of onlookers and friends

NAILED by His hands and His feet to that

Splintery cross

Never able to scratch an itch . . .

Never able to cool the stinging pain . . .

Never able to sleep without suffocating . . .

Never able to cover Himself . . .

Never to embrace His mother goodbye . . .

Never able to move until death.