Were I A Live Tree

Were I a live tree

I would have felt his pain,

I would have writhed and scream

As I declare to them his name.

Were I a live tree

I would have tasted his blood,

His blood that stained my trunk

But alas, I was just wood.

Were I a live tree

I would have wondered aloud

How could this madness be?

The Creator crucified by a crowd.

A crowd of ignorant people

Not knowing what they do,

A crowd of religious delinquents

Obviously without a clue.

Were I a live tree

I would have heard his groaning

As in his agony he suffered

For their very sins atoning.

Were I a live tree

And not just two pieces of wood

I would have made him

As comfortable as I could.

I would have been a comfort

And quietly by him stood

But none of this could I have done

Alas, I was just wood.

Were I a live tree

With ability to reason and think,

Of the abundance of my fruit

I would have given him to drink

Refreshing on his hottest day

Soothing to his throat

But alas, I was only wood

There was nothing in me of note.

  

None of these appealing acts

Could I have truly done

When I bore upon my body

God’s only begotten Son.

It wasn’t my place in any case

To provide these things for him,

After all my human friend

It wasn’t me that sinned.

Were I alive in this your day

This I would say to you,

If you give to him your heart

He’ll also change your view.

I’m blessed to have borne him

A pleasure unparalleled

And as a witness of his handy work

To you this day I tell.

Were I alive this moment

I would clap my hands for joy

My branches would forever praise him

And my spirit would be buoyed.

On that tree Christ was crucified

The Father suffered it to be so

For the sins of all humanity,

Now I know you know.

Stewart Russell © May 1, 2019