Upon the cross

Upon the cross,
in agony and pain,
he was not cross,
did not complain,
but had compassion
on those who strayed
in sin’s confusion,
– and for them prayed;

then turned his ear
to the thief’s request, –
gave promise clear
he would be blest.

The soldiers shared
his clothes, but we
from hell are spared,
share glory, – he
was pierced, and bore
transgressions, shame:
repent with awe,
and trust his name.

They thought him powerless –
he chose to stay –,
no other way
to save the hopeless.