Consider Him
An Easter reflection by Elizabeth Kendal, Easter 2001
When contemplating persecution, consider him. (Hebrews 12:3) * * * * *
Does persecution bite;
does fear consume your night?
Consider him.
Does tribulation strain;
does mocking sore inflame?
Consider him.
Consider him who crown of thorns did humbly wear; [Scripture: see end note 1]
Despised, rejected, spat on, was stripped bare; [2]
Unrecognised, object of scorn, Unfair! [3]
Consider him. (Hebrews 12:3)
Can those who hate you strike;
take jobs, possessions, life?
Consider him.
Can government forsake;
injustice overtake?
Consider him.
Consider him who bore the blows and took the lash; [4]
Falsely accused, betrayed, abused in purple sash; [5]
At Golgotha, nailed to a cross, with Satan clashed; [6]
Consider him. (Hebrews 12:3)
Does righteousness take fright;
does hope fade out of sight?
Consider him.
Does fear grip heart and head;
strike hands and knees like lead?
Consider him.
Consider him who with his gaze on heaven's home; (Hebrews 12:2)
Endured the cross, despised the shame for promised throne; (Hebrews 12:2)
Consumed with love, propelled by faith alone; (Hebrews 12:2)
Consider him. (Hebrews 12:3)
When evil seems supreme,
and rest seems like a dream;
Consider him.
When enemies grow bold,
when shrouds seem to enfold;
Consider him.
Consider him whose violent death bruised serpent's head; [7]
Who third day, shroud removed, rose from the dead; [8]
Arisen, King of Love victorious, as he said; [9]
Consider him! (Hebrews 12:3)
". . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to
Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of
the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility
against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." (Hebrews
12:1c-3, ESV)
Scripture References:
1 Mark 15:16-20
2 Isaiah 53:3; Matt 27:28-30; Psalm 22:18
3 John 1:11; Luke 22:63-65; Psalm 22:6; Isaiah 53:9
4 Matt 26:67; 27:26
5 Matt 26:59-60; Luke 22:47-48; John 19:2,5
6 John 19:16-18; Matt 27:39-44; Heb 13:12
7 Gen 3:15; Col 2:13-15; Rev 5:6-14
8 John 20; Isaiah 25:7,8
9 Matt 12:40; 16:21; 17:22,23; John 2:18-22
Round Your Head The Jagged Thorns
© Senga Scambler, May 2000
Round Your head the jagged thorns * * * * *
Pierced Your brow with blood and tears
Oh what hate has placed it there!
But You dear Lord from hate has made
Love and Mercy flow down
In Your hands the nails were pierced
Oh what pride has put them there
Your sinless hands held up to God
That day made peace upon the cross
And Love and Mercy flowed down
Lord Jesus, Jesus, Mighty God
Prince of Peace of life and light
Your heart did break for sinner folk
But joy eternal paved the way for
Love and Mercy to flow down
O Lord, Your feet the nails did tear
God's Holy body piercéd cruel
Dear Lord, Your sacrifice it said
"Forgive them Father — they don't know"
That Father's Love and Mercy flow
Lord Jesus, Jesus, Mighty God
You came from heaven to earth to die
Your life to give, Your blood to shed
The Righteous One for sinners slain
That Love and Mercy might flow down.
The LORD'S PASSOVER
© Senga Scambler
The inspiration for the poem is drawn from the following passages of Scripture:
* * * * *
Genesis 3 & 22
Exodus 12
John's Gospel 1 & 19
1 Corinthians 11
2 Corinthians 5
Revelation 19
Against man's sinful rebellion, I will execute judgement, I AM the LORD
In Eden's precious garden, where first stirred infamous sin,
The LORD God clothed His people with Redemption's coat of skin.
'Twas there the first transaction, The Saviour's offering made,
Born from God's compassion, His plan from eternity laid.
Deep dark was sin's rebellion, dead dark man's spirit and mind,
This way God chose his love to prove, his saving grace towards mankind
A Lamb was killed, its blood was shed, and so we trace the Scarlet thread.
Against all the gods of Egypt, I will execute judgement, I AM the LORD
To all the assembly of Israel, was given the LORD's decree
A male lamb was to be taken, a firstling — blemish free.
Its life was given, its blood was shed, to set the Hebrews free
From Egypt's great oppression — God's salvation all would see!
By faith in God each house, the Passover sacrifice slew
Adonai Elohenu ordained eternal His everlasting truth
Prepare the LORD's PASSOVER — hyssop take — and strike the posts!
With free redeeming blood of Lamb, on lintels' sides and tops.
Against Egypt's firstborn, I will execute judgement, I AM the LORD
But when I see the Blood, I will passover you
The destroyer will not come near you, I AM the LORD
When the LORD saw the Blood in obedience applied
Over Israel's line — no son, no father, no family — no, not one died!
For the blood is the life of the flesh 'tis true
And the LORD has provided the Ram.
On His altar He makes atonement for all
Who will trust in the Blood of the Lamb.
Against those whose name is not in the Lamb's book of life,
I will execute judgement, I AM the LORD
Behold the Lamb of God, the Word made flesh
Behold the Lamb of God, full of grace and truth
Behold the Lamb of God, sinbearer of the universe
God's PASSOVER Lamb, slain for the Jew
God's PASSOVER Lamb, slain for You.
In this Lamb we have Redemption, Salvation through His Blood
In the Lamb we are forgiven, freed from sin's dark curse.
Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, be unto the Lord our God.
His judgements are righteous, he's worthy of praise
One day Heaven will open, the KING will ride through
the Righteous One, Holy, Faithful and True.
His name is called, the Word of God,
and there's no higher name by which we must be saved.
He's Jesus — King of Kings,
He's Jesus — Lord of Lords.
Jew or Gentile — what will you do?
Will you trust in the Lord's Passover?
Will you trust in the Blood of the Lamb?
Will you cry out to God in faith and apply
The Lamb's Blood to your heart?