THE EMPTY CROSS

On a lonely hill outside of town,
there hung two dying men.
One alight with grace and love,
the other dark with sin.

Between the two men hanging there,
there stood an empty cross.
A rough and bloodstained vict'ry sign,
that sin and death had lost.

That morning when the sun arose,
the men had been the same.
Convicted and condemned to death,
in ridicule and shame.

Nailed to the cross and left to die,
upon those cruel trees.
Messiah, Savior, the Son of God,
was hung there in between.

Abused and cruelly beaten,
fast approaching death,
The Lord proclaimed His love for all,
with every precious breath.

The Son of God suspended there,
between those dying thieves.
One of them found peace with Him,
but one would not believe.

Yes, one of them in death found life,
the other turned away.
He scoffed and sneered when Jesus said,
"I'm the Life, the Truth, the Way."

But on his cross the first man came,
in Jesus death he's saved.
He found that day what all men seek,
triumph o'er the grave.

Remember me, when you're crowned king,
the thief was heard to say.
The Lord replied, "Friend where I go,
you'll be with Me today."

Oh, victory in Christ he found,
a heavenly reward.
The gift of grace that's there for all,
who know and love the Lord.

Yes Jesus gave His life that day,
now death no longer reigns.
and though it was so long ago,
the empty cross remains.

The cross remains here as a sign,
for all the world to see.
That Christ the Lord has conquered death,
and so has set us free.

Life is here for all who come,
accept the Lord and live.
He paid the price for all mankind,
with all He had to give.

Take up the cross and come to Him,
be cleansed and born anew.
Salvation's here and waiting,
the choice is up to you.

Steve Atchley, 20 Dec 93