day fifteen moment

prepare my heart Father
to study the scourging
of this man Jesus

to watch a fountain of blood pour forth
to walk in communion with Jesus through these sufferings

all covering removed
exposed
vulnerable
defenseless
pushed naked to his knees
arms tied above his head

2 soldiers

2 whips
leather straps embedded with sheep bone
lead balls hanging at the end of each strip

and with the crack of whip against flesh it begins

the first soldier tires
the second carries on

skin now broken
blood flowing

and this horror only stops at the hurried sudden order of Pilate

Jesus collapsed
silent in the ropes

forced to stand
once again on the platform
too disfigured now to look at

Pilate challenges the crowd to look
to see

demons dance

Father weeps
for although He could, He won't

bearing grief
carrying sorrow
esteemed not
stricken
smitten
afflicted
crushed
pierced
bruised

scourged

and I see myself through the gaping wounds on His back

it is not so simple
so easy
to know the fellowship
of the sufferings
of this man Jesus