The Man on the Cross

background photo from www.christianmyspace.com | words by tine magpayo

The Man on the Cross
by Christine Magpayo

What causes me to move is the stillness

of the Man on the cross.

He is the conqueror of death—

the perfect picture of fulfilment.

The stillness of my God on the cross

Causes me to go on and on.

He is peace; He is motivation;

He is hope; He is love; He is strength.

Each part of Him is beautiful:
His restless feet that walked countless miles
and His tired hands that touched and healed

the sick and the suffering

had been nailed to permanence.
His limbs are like tree branches
whipped and broken by the storm winds,
but now appears to be embracing the clear skies.

As a cloud can give out
so much rain, His weary body
had shed so much blood.
Bereft of life,

His body hung low and gray.
Leaning on the wooden cross,

My Savior looks tranquil.
The cold flesh feels no more pain.

Looking at His bowed head,

I see the features of His face:

Eyes (now closed) that looked with compassion
and lips that spoke only of goodness and truth.
Like an infant asleep
After a day of cries and smiles,
Calmness can be traced
from the curves of my Savior’s  face.

Nothing and no one ever compares
to the God of all who died for me.
He served His purpose so I can serve mine.
What is my mission compared to His?
Love will keep me alive
because His love is enough.
Not only it is freely given,
But also more than what I deserve.