In April 1982, the Banner of Truth magazine published “Seven Sonnets from the Cross” by D. A. Carson, research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Using the NIV as a basis, each sonnet focuses on one of the seven sayings of Christ from the cross. Banner of Truth has kindly given permission for us to post these sonnets this week.

As we re-trace the steps of our Savior toward the cross, let us consider His suffering and victory through the words which He spoke while making atonement for our sins.

Luke 23.27-34

The wracking pain of crucifixion played
Upon the outstretched body of the Lord.
The taunts of earthlings, like a verbal sword,
Made ugly wounds far worse than flesh sore frayed.
The Victim bleeds; some women dismayed;
The soldiers do their job, a trifle bored,
The simple homespun cloth the only hoard.
Can fiery vengeance justly be long stayed?
If men do things like these when wood is green,
What then will happen when the wood is dry?
Try as they might, they can’t escape, unseen
Beneath the mountains, from the wrath on high.
The victim sighs an answer wholly new:
‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do!’