Poems (Carter)/Barabbas at the crucifixion
BARABBAS AT THE CRUCIFIXION.
There on that Cross I see the Man—my substitute!
And in myself I see the man preferred, and freed
From prison and from death, and given back to life!
What life? 'Twas our own nation—His and mine that chose
To crucify the Nazarene—and for what crime?
Themselves have spoken: "He saved others!" and, "In God
He trusted!" O great God of Hosts! what have I done?
Thou knowest every step of my bad life, until—
Maddened by hate and jealousy—I fanned the flame
Of passions like my own, and insurrection led
Against all law and order—yea! and raised my hand
With deadly blow against the bravest man I knew!
A Roman—yes, and a centurion, but one
Who loved our nation, building us a synagogue.
My God! I killed him! and his blood will be on me,
And on my guiltless children for my sake! O God!
Hast Thou not power to overcome that Fiend of Hell
Who tempted me and drew me on from bad to worse!
Hark! He on yonder Cross is speaking to the thief—
I knew him well in prison as we two lay bound
Together. No! 'Tis Achan speaking to the King—
For so has Pilate named Him: "Lord, remember me
When to Thy Kingdom Thou hast come!" And hark!
What saith the Nazarene? "Today, in Paradise,
Shalt thou be with Me!" What! Achan! the thief! my pal!
O God of Jacob! would that I could hear such words'!
How could they crucify that Man? Some say He was
The Son of God! and Pilate said he found in Him
No fault! God! What a world! The faultless crucified,
And I released—and yet, if Achan was received,
Is there-no hope for me? I know He raised the dead—
This Nazarene, Whom Achan calleth "Lord" and "King."
Hark! for again He speaks—He, Who was crucified for me!
"Father, into Thy hands I now commit my soul!"
O Nazarene! I bow myself before Thy Cross,
On which I should have hung, and humbly I implore
That Thou wilt save me! Save me, Lord, as Thou hast saved
Achan, my friend, a sinner like myself, O Lord!
Help me to take again my life from Thee and serve—
Not self and Satan, but Thyself and God, and give
All that I have and am, to pay the debt I owe
To Him, Who here is crucified instead of me.
And in myself I see the man preferred, and freed
From prison and from death, and given back to life!
What life? 'Twas our own nation—His and mine that chose
To crucify the Nazarene—and for what crime?
Themselves have spoken: "He saved others!" and, "In God
He trusted!" O great God of Hosts! what have I done?
Thou knowest every step of my bad life, until—
Maddened by hate and jealousy—I fanned the flame
Of passions like my own, and insurrection led
Against all law and order—yea! and raised my hand
With deadly blow against the bravest man I knew!
A Roman—yes, and a centurion, but one
Who loved our nation, building us a synagogue.
My God! I killed him! and his blood will be on me,
And on my guiltless children for my sake! O God!
Hast Thou not power to overcome that Fiend of Hell
Who tempted me and drew me on from bad to worse!
Hark! He on yonder Cross is speaking to the thief—
I knew him well in prison as we two lay bound
Together. No! 'Tis Achan speaking to the King—
For so has Pilate named Him: "Lord, remember me
When to Thy Kingdom Thou hast come!" And hark!
What saith the Nazarene? "Today, in Paradise,
Shalt thou be with Me!" What! Achan! the thief! my pal!
O God of Jacob! would that I could hear such words'!
How could they crucify that Man? Some say He was
The Son of God! and Pilate said he found in Him
No fault! God! What a world! The faultless crucified,
And I released—and yet, if Achan was received,
Is there-no hope for me? I know He raised the dead—
This Nazarene, Whom Achan calleth "Lord" and "King."
Hark! for again He speaks—He, Who was crucified for me!
"Father, into Thy hands I now commit my soul!"
O Nazarene! I bow myself before Thy Cross,
On which I should have hung, and humbly I implore
That Thou wilt save me! Save me, Lord, as Thou hast saved
Achan, my friend, a sinner like myself, O Lord!
Help me to take again my life from Thee and serve—
Not self and Satan, but Thyself and God, and give
All that I have and am, to pay the debt I owe
To Him, Who here is crucified instead of me.
Montclair, Jan., 1915.