Now You Know My Friend

the leaders and rulers in jerusalem
said he was a warlock
a blasphemer
a sorcerer
a satan worshiper

they claimed his miracles were hoaxes
accused him of sedition
as many jews began referring to him
as their king
their messiah

during his public life
he associated freely with people
of every class and gender
but directed his message
specifically to isreal

after three and one half years
walking about the country
he entered jerusalem and said
if you destroy this temple
in three days
i will raise it up again

the high jewish counsel immediately
arrested him
and at a late night meeting of elders
they accused and condemned him
there was no formal arraignment or trial

they then brought him before
the roman governor
pontius pilate
who found no fault in him
and sent him to the king of isreal
herod
who mocked him
sent him back

after having him severely scourged
pilate was astounded
when this man kept silent
before the hostile jewish leaders
who vehemently accused him
and demanded he be killed

he brought him outside
to a large throng of people
and gave them the opportunity
to free this man
or a known terrorist
awaiting execution

they screamed
to release the known murderer
and for the silent scourged man
“CRUCIFY HIM!!”

likewise
many who love to blame
judge and condemn
curse his name today

they took him to a hill called the skull
there they spiked his hands to a cross beam
and rested it upon a wooden column
to which they spiked his feet

as he hung there dying
he prayed
father forgive them
for they know not what they do

now
you know
my friend

now you know