I, the Executioner.
How would I have felt?
If a Roman soldier was I
Rostered for duty at Calvary
Where Jesus the Nazarene cried
“Forgive them” and then He died.
Victory, Jesus had claimed,
And I, the executioner
Was ashamed.
How would I have felt?
If a Roman soldier
was I
Guarding the dead Jesus’ tomb.
Some thought it was the womb
From which He would reappear,
The Messiah verified.
And I, the executioner
Was mystified.
How would I have felt?
If, a Roman soldier was I
Transfixed that Sunday morning
Seeing Christ’s glory dawning
Hearing the angel’s singing
“Jesus is risen, He is risen indeed!”
And I, the executioner
Was terrified
How would I have felt?
If, a Roman soldier was I
On that resurrection day?
I know not how, as him I’d feel,
But this I know, he is me,
Reaching across the centuries.
For I, the executioner
Caused Calvary.
How would I have felt?
If, a Roman soldier was I
And knew Christ included me
In His glorious victory?
I believe the Gospel’s true,
To Him I’ve bowed the knee
For I, the executioner
Found mercy.
Ray Hawkins March 11 2015
