NaPoWriMo 4/28/09

He Had a Choice

from where we sit
on this side of history
the outcome seems
inevitable

of course He had to do it
of course He had no choice
if He refused (which He couldn’t)
we would all be doomed

but that diminishes
what He did--takes away
from the real power
of his sacrifice

when He was arrested
He could have walked away
or struck them blind
or simply disappeared

when He was tried
He could have performed
wonders and miracles
to prove to them who He was

when He was beaten
He could have healed immediately
or remained impervious to
their whips and thorns

when carrying the cross
he did not have to stumble
feel pain
endure the scorn and curses

when nailed to the tree
He did not have to feel pain
He did not have to feel his lungs burn for air
He could have stopped it with a word

He did not have to die
on a cross
naked and humiliated
while His mother looked on--helpless

as fully God
His sacrifice was necessary
to redeem the world
and let us all enter home

but He was also fully human
filled with doubt and fear
filled with pain and shame
knowing He did not have to endure

we know how it ended
He died and rose again
He sacrificed all for us
but it was never forgone

He had a choice

©2009-Art Belliveau