Sin’s Shackle Is Undone

Both man and God
Both weak and strong
Tempted like we
Yet never wrong
 
In the garden pressed –
Your will – He prayed –
Sweating blood – yet
By dread not swayed
 
The first Adam fell
The second not
He bore the cross
For the human lot
 
He could’ve called
An angel team
Instead he bled
Redemption’s stream
 
Fury pounded Him
Nails ripped his flesh
Every ounce of strength
For us was spent
 
Why have you forsaken –
In shame – he stuttered –
His trembling heart broken –
Forgive them – He uttered
 
It’s finished – He cried
As He died – God’s Son
Broke the curse
Sin’s shackle is undone

By Carol Ann Hoel © April 19, 2011

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Garden of Gethsemane:

Mark 14:32-41 – The Bible (NIV) – They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “Everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “Are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Crucifixion:
(The Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John are quoted below. Each one tells some of the words spoken by Jesus at his crucifixion.)

Luke 23:32-34 – The Bible (NIV) – Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Luke 23:44-46 – The Bible (NIV) – It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”When he had said this, he breathed his last.

John 19:30 – The Bible (NIV) – When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Mark 15:34-37 – The Bible (NIV) – At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (Which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.