You Were Scourged!

You Were Scourged! Jesus, You were scourged! Not “merely” whipped, But severely beaten. Not with a single strand, But nine, each imbedded, Designed to inflict the most pain, To tear off the flesh --Your flesh-- Strip by strip by bit by bit. It was there Your royal blood flowed. There, in the courtyard, At that whipping post, With others nearby, eating, And smiling Or ignoring Your agony. And all for me! O Lord, forgive me! And You reply, “Father, Forgive.” And through Your pain --You smile at me.