Sacrifice 

A poem about the Manchester bombing, by Baptist minister Darrell Holmes

As nail pierced between flesh and bone
and metal inflicted devastating wounds,
blood freely flowed.
As last cry shattered the chatter of bystanders
and the cries of the nearby women
mixed with his;
so that young man died
in that evening instant.
A moment in history,
long-remembered for the death it wrought.
Thus that suicide-murderer
made his sacrifice.
A bomber’s act
of misplaced devotion,
as heaven brightened
in a moment’s flash of light and fire.
Through his angry death
he brought death to a few
and sorrow to far more
and shame to his father.
 
 
As nail pierced between flesh and bone
and metal, whip and thorns
inflicted devastating wounds on him alone,
blood freely flowed.
As last cry shattered the chatter of onlookers,
and the cries of the watching women
mixed with his;
So the God-man died in that afternoon instant,
a moment in history
forever remembered
for the life it brought.
Thus our sinless Saviour died,
an obedient redeeming sacrifice
of perfect love.
As heavens darkened
for six hours,
(Earth’s light concealing this travesty)
through his submissive, agonising death
he brought life to many
and forgiveness to all who trust in him
and honour to his Heavenly Father.
 

The Revd Darrell Holmes is pastor of The Baptist Church, Kilmington, Devon   
 

Images
Cross | Brandon Johnson | Creationswap

Arches | Craig Sunter | Flickr | adapted by Mike Lowe