Nothing to Crow About

It was a dreadful night.
It started with tradition fine:
We ate the Paschal meal together
And shared the bread and wine.

By one of us, he stunned us then,
He said he'd be betrayed
And, "Simon, Simon,
I have prayed,"
He turned to me and said,
"I've prayed for you, especially,
That your faith will not fail me."

His next words were confusing,
I couldn't understand:
  "When you turn back to me,
  Strengthen my disciple band."

To turn away from HIM
I would never be inclined.
So, true to myself,
I told him what was on my mind:
I'd stick with him
I would not fail
I'd die with him
Or join in jail.

He heard my claim
But sadly said
I would deny him,
Instead,
Three times before the rooster's crow.

Unbelievable!
I didn't know how to feel.
I had no response,
It all seemed so unreal.

Then Jesus went
To his hill to pray
We followed our Lord
That same way.

He prayed to his Father,
Obedient Son,
"Not my will,
But yours be done."

But we fell asleep
Tired with sorrow
Not knowing worse
Would come tomorrow.

Then soldiers came,
And betrayer's kiss.
I swung at an ear--
I didn't miss.

The ear fell to the ground.
But the love of the Lord
Compelled him to tell me,
"Put away your sword."

He touched the man
And healed his ear.
He spoke to that gang.
He seemed without fear.

But I was afraid
As they led him away.
I followed awhile
Then by a fire did stay.

A servant girl saw me
There by the fire
She said I'd been with him,
But I was a liar.

I denied I knew Jesus,
"I'm not one of his men."
Another also identified me
And I denied my Lord again.

Then, finally, a third time
The same thing occurred.
I lied once more
And rooster crow heard.

And Jesus, not far away,
Looked straight at me.
I recalled what he'd said:
My lies numbered three.

Oh, the pain in my soul!
My Lord I'd denied.
I left from the fire
And bitterly cried.

Could I ever be forgiven?
I sank in despair.
No answer came to me
In that dreadful night's air.

Luke 22:13-62

Copyright 1993 by Wayne Leman