a word of rest

From a sonnet cycle on the seven sayings of the cross.

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6-9

He gave his back to beatings by the men
who pulled his beard and spat on him that day.
This is what the prophet had foretold:
A man of sorrows on whose shoulders lay
the sins of evil men, like you and me.
But the savage slaughter of this Lamb
satisfied the Father’s just desire
that nails would pierce his side and feet and hands.
He took away our pain and bore our sin
to purchase many sons— all who would ask.
Then, when he knew the Scriptures were fulfilled,
he rested from his great redemptive task.
“It is finished.” That is what he said.
Then he went to offer freedom to the dead.

©2001, Wally Metts