STATION 10

JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS


Four soldiers stood beside their work, laughing at crucifixion.
All were hot, sweating; they looked at Jesus with satisfaction.
Too much toil for one day’s work, they shook their heads, all annoyed.
One soldier brightened up quickly with an idea he enjoyed.

The soldiers soon took Jesus’ clothes; they stripped him of His garments.
Four equal shares save His vesture, no ideas made any sense.
For each soldier wanted the tunic, each wanted it for theirs.
One offered to cast lots for it and all became players.

They laughed as they looked at Jesus hanging upon the wood cross.
He gasped for more breath; His blood ran down, His words were at a loss.
Transfixed on the game the soldiers ignored the man they had hurt,
Continuing on with their game each wanting that linen shirt.

Two thieves on either side of Jesus watched the Guards in their fun.
In anguish they fixed upon the die until the game was done.
The thieves tried to speak to guards but the breath of each was torment.
One guard stood up pressed a thief’s foot, the thief cried out his lament.

One soldier jumped with the tunic, he had won with toss of hand.
Three soldiers grumbled, then stood up to look at the ones they manned.
In anger one poked more feet and grinned with an evil-like leer,
Mary grimaced as she inched her way to Jesus to be near.

The soldiers sat then upon the ground, watching the hanging bleed.
Indifferent to pain, they waited out deaths of horrific deed.
Mary and Beloved John cried as they watched this very scene,
No haunted looks in guarded eyes, no frowns on face, just ever being mean.

With prayer and guidance from Jesus’ eyes, Mary and John stayed back.
Their deaths, not part of this day, just love for what others did lack.
Mary and John watched as one guard held to the tunic with glee,
While Jesus and the two thieves were breathless in their misery.