The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Crime and Punishment (not about the book) (07/21/11)
Beyond Comprehension

I know exactly who I am,
I’ve known it all along,
I reveled in a life of crime,
And never felt it wrong.

A thief, a liar, a murderer,
I never feared the tree,
I did my deeds in broad daylight,
Not caring who could see.

Until the day I found myself,
Held in a Roman cell,
The penalty for what I’ve done,
I know it, all too well.

I face the cross, the nails, the spear,
I’ll soon see my last day,
It is no less than I deserve,
No less than I should pay.

But, wait… what is this sound I hear?
The tumult of the crowd,
They have the choice of who goes free,
They call my name out loud.

“But, what of this man?” Pilate says,
“In Him no fault is found,”
The angry crowd yells “Crucify,”
I’m freed and He is bound.

I cannot understand this thing,
It fills me with surprise,
I look at Him… no hate I see,
Just mercy in His eyes.

They beat Him until flesh is torn,
Bloodied, weak and broken,
Heaping upon Him mocking scorn,
Yet… no word is spoken.

The Roman soldiers rail at Him,
He climbs Golgotha’s hill,
I follow at a distance now,
I’m drawn against my will.

The sky grows dark and the earth shakes,
And splits the Temple veil,
The face of God is turned away,
And adds to His travail.

He looks directly in my eyes,
And utters words so sweet,
“Forgive them, Father,” is His plea,
Redemption is complete.

I cannot comprehend such love,
It is beyond my ken,
That God would give His only Son,
As pardon for my sin.

At last His final breath is drawn,
His blood spills without sound,
Then to my face, in shame, I fall,
And kiss the hallowed ground.

My soul receives a precious gift,
That’s offered for all time,
Accepting Him whose punishment,
Has paid for all my crime.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1054 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Carol Penhorwood 
07/28/11
Your rhyme and rhythm is perfection, your message evocative and full of truth.

One tiny little critique, that one line could be changed to: "yet not a word is spoken" and the perfect flow would not be interrupted.

This is lovely at any time, but perfect for publication around Easter.
Margaret Kearley
07/29/11
This wonderful poem from Barabbas' point of view is amazing. I've sometimes wondered what he must have thought - I do so hope that he did turn to faith in Christ.
C D Swanson 
07/30/11
A brilliant depiction of Christ and the events leading up to His crucifixion...And, the thoughts of Barabbas and what he may have been feeling. I enjoyed it immensely, great job and most creative. God Bless~
Noel Mitaxa 
08/04/11
Congratulations on achieving such clear teaching while using such a simple poetic frame.
Barrabas is one of those biblical cameos whose final story we can only guess about, and you have thrown some light without makiong it too strong. Well done.