From Matthew 27:32-44 / Simon of Cyrene

As I was going in the gate,

I saw Him, beaten sore

I gasped to see one wounded so

What cruelties He bore

A roaring crowd surrounded Him

I’d no idea why

I’d not traversed from Libya

To see some stranger die

It was the time of Holy Days

And that is why I came

To celebrate Passover here

To honor Yahweh’s name

And with me here were my two sons

I winced that they would see

A man half dead, and dragging lone

A crossbeam through the street

When all at once a shouting voice

Broke through my mind-shocked spell

A soldier’s grip now wrenching me

I spun and nearly fell

“Go pick it up” he shouted loud

And pointed to the beam

The One who had been bearing it

Became too weak it seemed

I tried to extricate myself

With words, to no avail

They forced me under penalty

My two son’s faces paled

I neared the timber wet with blood

The Convict said no word

Or if He did, with all the din

I doubt I would have heard

So following behind Him now

I dragged the wooden beam

I wondered if the gawking crowd

Thought we a guilty team

It would not be for many days

I’d understand it all

The truth that this poor “convict” was

The glorious Lord of all

At first I thought, His cross, I bore

That day through Salem’s road

Unfairly seized and put upon

To bear a villain’s load

Until Christ’s Gospel preached to me

My blinded eyes unveiled

And saving grace transformed my sight

So truth at last prevailed

It was my cross He bore that day

My guilt had put Him there

My sin was laid upon His back

The Father’s wrath to bear

By grace He let me feel the weight

A bit, of sin’s dread due

But only just as far as where

He’d be my substitute

When once we’d reached Golgotha’s hill

T’was He they nailed, not me

The perfect Lamb of God had died

That I might be set free

My guilt, my shame, my every sin

He paid the fullest price

The sinless Son of God that day

Became my sacrifice

And so I plead with you my friend

Come see Him hanging there

In love, your willing substitute

Your guilt and shame to bear

But more, look on to when He rose

When raised up from the dead

Ascending to the Father’s side

The Church’s living Head

To where He intercedes for all

Those His by faith and grace

Forever sealed the promise that

One day, we’ll see His face