What Do We Expect

Wounded are the faithful
who have endured the pain...
scarred and shattered hearts
seeking no self-gain.
bitter is the taste of
the pill they swallow,
battered and abused but
determined to follow...

Yet down thru the centuries
themselves they have denied,
shouldering their cross,
forfeiting their pride...
but only one was spotess
and wholeheartedly complied,
no sin left its mark,
no earthly cause to die...

Treated as a criminal
whipped and despised,
no stranger to betrayal,
injustice or lies...
but what do we expect,
a red carpet reception?
flowers at our feet or
a welcoming procession?

Thorns and nails He bore
upon His sinless frame,
but we often question why
we may receive the same?
we shall suffer bruises,
hatred, scars and loss,
because we serve the Lord
and daily bear our cross!

The hardships we endure
to represent the King
are small in comparison
to our Savior's suffering.
the agony of crucifixion
was His burden to bear,
but the "glorious" resurrection
came after the despair! (c)