People like a nice idea,
comfortable things to hear.
Surely we can’t really know
Christ arose so long ago?

Men and women were astounded,
and their witness brave was founded
on their talking, touching, eating
with their risen Saviour meeting.

What an awesome great event
– God had raised the Son he sent,
now to be the Judge and Saviour
– read the statements, truth consider.

John 19:19-22
“The King of the Jews”,
the sign there proclaimed –
maybe to amuse
the Governor, – he shamed
their malice displayed.

But they were dismayed!
‘Write only, “he claims …” ’

It’s written: He reigns;
and so it will be,
soon all men will see.

John 19:23,24  and Psalm 22 esp. v.18
An idle gamble, careless toss,
while Christ was pierced upon the cross:
these both were long ago foretold
by God, by whom all is controlled.

Zechariah 9:9 and Matthew 21:8,9; 27:20
Rejoice! your gentle King has come,
proclaiming peace to everyone
he has salvation to bestow:
the crowd were glad their joy to show.

Within a week the tide had turned, –
the anger of the leaders burned,
persuaded those who gathered round,
their gracious King to death to hound.

Symbol of hope –

though means of tortured execution;

symbol of Life –

though place of death and blood;

symbol of faith –

acceptance of the explanation:

Christ died and rose for my eternal good!

They didn’t realise he was at their side.
Their disappointments, hurts would not abide
when he exposed the answers in his Word
to what confused and puzzled them, – they heard,
their hearts were warmed, their eyes were opened, saw,
and knew their Saviour was alive once more!
‘How wonderful if all this could be true!’
It is! He opens minds to truly view,
and live with him because he lives for ever:
nothing his people now from him can sever.

He ate the fish, appeared when doors were locked.
His followers were startled, frightened, shocked;
on hands which had been nailed they looked, believed,
with joy and worship, life divine received.
For he had been an offering for their sins:
his offspring share the riches that he brings.
(cf.Isaiah 53:10-12)

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.

‘Why, my God, am I forsaken?
Yet I know, I’m not mistaken –
sin is serious – this is needful,
for my God to save my people.’

Bleakest hour of desolation:
triune God knows separation:
perfect fellowship in rupture,
– agony for One whose nature
holy, pure finds sin abhorrent –
now the Son becomes repugnant
to his Father, – my replacement
– he bears sin and takes my punishment;

but if Christ I’d not accepted,
this on me should still be meted.

for children
Pilate was frightened to do what he knew,
knew was the just and the right thing to do.
Pity that Pilate did not find out who,
who this man was who was holy and true.
Who is this King
who suffers for sin?
Dies to atone,
sins not his own;
causing surprise, –
his words were so wise:
worship him, Saviour, King.

The priests and the people did not give much thought
to what Jesus did, and the words that he taught;
and Pontius Pilate was puzzled, for why
didn’t he fight them or angrily cry?

tune of ‘I am so glad that my Father in heaven’