Look to the cross of Christ—behold the man.
The eyes that saw creation’s light burn bright
Darken in a visage barely human
As Sun’s pause shows homage in day as night.
The knees that bent to honor His Father
Are scarred from falls under torture’s device.
The weight of wood made heavy by man’s sin
Pressed firmly down in payment of sin’s price.
The heart which beat for love becomes like wax.
His humanity expires with each beat.
The lungs work hard to breathe and speak what’s left
His final lessons are a glorious feat.
God as man is mortal, His friends to save
Life spent from birth-cave to an empty grave.
Look to the cross of Christ and see His pain.
Sacred Head crowned with cruel torture device.
The One who broke no reed now hung and slain.
His clothing strewn and bought by rolling dice.
Hands which healed now held by cold, piercing nails.
Surrounded by angry mobs and few friends
God-in-flesh, His body is very frail.
His life is coming to a “curséd” end.
The feet that stood firm in truth and wisdom
Now nailed to the tree of life for all men
That men may come to share in the kingdom
And all may find joyful rest in Heaven.
He speaks to teach and give pardon and peace
Fulfilling all foretold down to the least.
Look to the cross for the mercy of God.
Dead in our sins, we raised up doleful prayers.
A price too high, our will was weak not strong.
Deserving our fate, we trudged in despair.
Justice in truth is judgement well-deserved
Blind as we were to Your love for Your own.
We who had pledged to keep Your word had swerved
In our obstinance, we should be disowned.
In our wickedness, You never lost heart
Coming in flesh, You dispelled our misery.
Before the judgement throne You took our part
That from sin we would find delivery.
Our souls stained with the blood of the prophets
You came to save us as You had promised.
Look to the cross of Christ and see our joy
Bearing the punishment his people earned.
Sinless Himself by death our sins destroyed
The guilt of man taken by God’s own Son.
He saved those who longed for eternal life
Giving His own in sacrificial rite.
Love displayed for Her who is Church and wife
Led to slaughter, He died without a fight.
The life foretold and born in Bethlehem
At the Jordan the Father called You, “Son.”
Calling people to unity in Him
Baptism and cross bring about redemption.
In Him God and man have been reconciled
He toasts with a reed of hyssop and bile.
Look to the cross of Christ for love displayed.
The face of kindness disfigured by blows.
Jesus, Man of Sorrows, a friend betrayed
Transfigured beauty crushed by Heaven’s foes.
Our Lord expresses love beyond our hearts
For God so loved the world He sent His Son.
Dying is not the end but a new start
That the world might be saved and sin undone.
Lamb of God who from our sins would save
And reconcile all people joined in Him
Came to give that life for all who believe
Sacrificing in love for those who shunned.
Where He has gone, He bids us come with Him
Continuing the song in joyful hymn.
Look to the cross of Christ and see our hope.
What was done to the Head of His body
Is carried onward to the hands and toes.
Following Him, we may become bloody.
As Moses struck the rock, Longinus pierced
And life and grace poured forth for believers
That we may be an offering flawless
To do the will of God in love and peace.
It was finished, the sacrifice is done
But the work of salvation continues.
Sancitified by Him, we call all to come
To find salvation in a life renewed.
May all who see the good we do be awed
And say, “Truly, they are children of God.”