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Matthew 27:25 – Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (KJV)
As I thought about how Jesus died for my sins, I realized that He died for me — His blood is on my hands. I might as well have been there to pound the nails in His hands and feet — the hammer fits my hand!
In my mind, I saw a picture of Calvary. Jesus was still alive, stretched out on the cross lying on the ground, waiting to be nailed to it. He was covered in blood from His beating and the crown of thorns on His head.
Standing in a line were people waiting their turn to hammer on a nail in His hands or feet. I was heartbroken as I witnessed nonchalant attitudes and disgust towards the Saviour. So many of them were laughing and mocking Jesus. I watched horrified and wondered how they could be so cold-hearted, indifferent, and insensitive towards Him.
When my turn came, it made me even more appreciative of God's magnificent, unselfish, sacrificial gift of love, which I most certainly accepted!
It also awakened in me more of an urgency and deep desire to pray for the lost:
2 Corinthians 4:4 – In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)
Having envisioned all this, I wrote this poem:
- The Hammer
I pictured clearly in my mind
The cross at Calvary.
I saw a line of people there
With names from A to Z.
The line moved slowly single file;
We knew why we were there.
"My turn is coming up," I sobbed;
My heart filled with despair.
Alas, I stood before His face.
I saw shame and sorrow, mixed with grace.
I gazed at Him so tenderly —
Two pain-filled eyes gazed back at me.
I saw the blood upon His brow.
I heard Him say, "It's your turn now.
You must pound the nails without delay;
I AM dying here for you today.
"Pick up the hammer and hold it tight;
Now, swing it back with all your might
And drive the nails yet deeper in.
I AM here to take away your sin."
The hardest thing I have ever done
Was to drive the nails in God's own Son.
But there was just no other way
And He offers that hammer to you today.
Hebrews 10:12 – But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. (KJV)
I'm sure that we all know someone who has yet to come to Jesus for salvation. Let us uphold them in prayer today, for how shall they escape, if they neglect so great salvation?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You so much for saving us. Today, may we pray for those whom You bring to our remembrance who are still in need of salvation. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
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Love the poem, Cheremiah.
Amen and thank you, Cheremiah!
Thanks for the moving poem. Shalom.
Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing this with us. Blessings.
Amen, thanks be to God the Father for the gift of His Son!
Thank you, Cheryl. What an appropriate message for today.
Thank you for a moving devotional, Cheryl, at just the right time.
Cheryl – thanks for this devotional. Today is truly a day for deep and sorrowful reflection.
Another wonderful poem, Cheryl. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Blessings.
I always think it is fitting when it rains on Good Friday.
This is a great devotion. Cheryl really has written good devotions.
Thank you, Cheryl for such an exceptional Good Friday message. Your poem is outstanding.
Easter blessings to you.
Greetings Cheryl,
Many thanks for another deeply meaningful devotional. You have a great God given gift for writing poems.
Easter Blessings.
(B.C.)
Dear Cheremiah,
This is a profound presentation of God working through you to help us know that Christ died for each one of us, welcoming the blows he suffered from us so we can be forgiven. Amen to Jesus Christ our Lord and to the great depth of His love by God’s design.
Hi Cheremiah,
Wonderful devotion this morning, very powerful words in the poem as well as in the devotional. I made a copy of it to look at it some time later.
Thank you so much and keep up the good work. We wish you and yours a very blessed day today as well as Easter Sunday.
Blessings.
Hello my friend
Wow, powerful and emotional! Yes, there was no other way but is does not help me with the feeling of remorse of what my way of living caused Christ to do for me.
Praying continually for salvations and the blood of Jesus to protect the ones who come to the Lord, finally.
Have a blessed Easter!!
I am singing Because He Lives in church tomorrow. God bless.
Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing your beautiful poetry “The Hammer”, I can tell that came right from your heart. When I opened my blinds today, I said out loud, “Thank you Jesus for dying for me”. I wonder how many won’t even realize that he gave the ultimate sacrifice to forgive our sins, and “remember him”. We have poppies to remember our heroes who went to war so we may live in peace, and rightly so. I hope this devotional today, will bring many more to realize the real Saviour who died for us and he still waits for us to come unto Him. May God bless you.
So vivid a dream and the beautiful poem is very special.
Dear Cheremiah,
“The Hammer” was very precise and powerful!
I’m so sad how the Lord suffered and died, in my place, on the Cross. His love is beyond measure. I thank Him for the Cross. It is a sort of landmark, where I one day came to faith in Christ, and where my life took a complete turnaround – to a wonderful relationship with Jesus!
God bless you!