PREFACE

This book is the first in the series-Faces At The Cross. Through imagination, biblical and historical evidence, the stories are told through poetry. They give a synopsis of the story in a fun way that aims to capture the interest of young and old. As you read, use your own imagination, and get into the story of each character.

When I followed Jesus, I thought He aimed to be king,I desired to sit in great honor.

I looked for a Messiah to break off the yoke,and free us from cruel Rome’s power.

He walked through the streets,healed the lame and the blind, and filled hungry stomachs with bread.

Demons did flee at the sound of His voice,He even brought life to the dead.

I wasn’t interested in this type of life,where He mingled with distressed and poor.

I had an ambition that burned up my soul,my heart longed for something much more.

I was entrusted with the finance of our group,they trusted me as their friend.

If I had to rise to greatness in life,this friendship must come to an end.

On the Passover Evening as the custom was done. We gathered together to eat.

The Master took towel and basin of water,and washed our sore, dusty feet.

We ate and drank as the custom was,to celebrate deliverance from slavery.

But Jesus gave another reason,He said “drink my blood and eat my body”.

I didn’t really care what He meant, I had already made a plan.

The chief priests and I had a meeting,I hoped to make as  much money as I can.

We ate and drank and celebrated,then He said”This very night true.

Before the the sun rises across Galilee’s lake,I will be betrayed by one of you”.

Shock flashed across the disciples’ faces,and I played along in my lie.

I asked the question that each dared to ask. “Dear Master, do tell,Is it I?”

He did not answer the question directly,but passed around to us the cup.

Then strangely he handed me gravy-dipped bread, and said,”It's he who with me sup.”

He looked at my red face,gave nothing away,but calmly He just said to me.

“Whatever you have planned to do on this night,just go and do it quickly”.

I gathered the money bag,rushed through the door,and none was made wiser, I knew.

All the other disciples did not realize,that Jesus just told me,”It’s you”.

To the office of the chief priests I scuttled away. Casting furtive eyes at the corners around.

I shouted to silence the voice in my head,that God’s grace  still surely abound.

It was late when I entered the dim temple hall, and asked for the High Priest to see.

Nervously shuffling my feet and looking around,my heart hammered my chest loudly.

Looking over my shoulder,I walked into the lair,made a proposal to the robed men.

I asked for a sum to betray The Lord, and sealed my sad fate there and then.

They agreed to my price and paid me the sum,thirty pieces of silver they gave.

We shook hands and the deal closed,the grave deed was done.I sold Christ for the price of  a slave.

Leading the crowd  with crude weapons, they were armed for the fight, devil-possessed troops we hurried along.

Demons propelled us,our wrong course to take, I blended quite well with the throng.

We burst into the garden,and found the familiar group.The disciples’ eyes heavy with sleep.

The Master arose from bent,tired knees,rousing from supplications so deep.