The Sacrifice

Kneeling in the dew-laid grass alone

Gloomy, moonless heavens show not grace 

To the man in anguish dripping sweat, 

“God, how can you ask this from your own?”

“This is what I will,” the Voice replies

Trusting heart, yet fearing mind intones, 

“I will do exactly as you say.” 

Sleepless in the prison bars of night

Waiting, hoping for the morning light

Rising at the breaking of the day

“Hurry now. We must be on our way.”

Blow by blow the sticks fall in their place

Wrenching at the heart strings of his love

Staggering beneath the load of dread

Tear-filled eyes behold the road ahead

Downcast eyes lift up to see the place

There it is, the place where He has said. 

Weary footsteps plod the upward track

Footfalls echo as they trek alone

Climbing silence breaks with spoken fear

“Father, we have all, but not the lamb.”

“Fear not, God has provided a lamb.” 

Heavy, dusty stones built in a mound

Twisted wood atop the gnarly stones

Atop the off’ring submits to death. 

“Oh God, provide for yourself a lamb.”

Death is lifted trembling to the sky

The skies explode, the heavens rend:

“Abraham!”