Beware unfair things bear on crosses where…

To do the good you can, even when mocked;

this is the calling you received from Christ

who made the way through suffering unblocked^,

for you to follow in his steps. His tryst

is made in shade of cross that he took up,

not ’coz he needed to himself, but they

had need of him to lead them lest abrupt-

ly they would turn and run right clean away.

And I am still in need of his exam

-ple. His disciples are still us today.

The prophet’s insight to his life is am-

ple to help us not vilify, degrade,

and otherwise just do a double take,

by saying "He must be so very bad,

for God has never suffered, and won't make

his willing son do anything the lad

would find to be quite difficult and hard."

‘For he committed no sin, no deceit

was found within his mouth’*  I think he’d guard

his heart°, and when they hurled insults complete

at him, he’d not retaliate at all;

and when he suffered, he himself made no

big threats to take revenge, he would not call

his curses down upon them, he would show

the heart of God for his lost stolen kids.

Instead, he trusted himself to the One

who's Father and Life-Giver, he whose lids

are never closed, and who cannot be shunned.

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*  Isa 53:9

°  Fill your thoughts with my words until they penetrate deep into your heart. Then, as you unwrap my words, they will impart true life and healing to your whole body! Guard your heart with all diligence, for it determines the course of your life!!  Proverbs 4:21-23 (PM Version)

^  Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body has finished with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.  1 Peter 4:1‭-‬2 NIVUK

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For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 1 Peter 2:21‭-‬23 NLT

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It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips. When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge. 1 Peter 2:21‭-‬23 GNTD

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To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:21‭-‬23 NIVUK

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