If I were to go back
Back to a road
Back to a road on the way to a city
Would I cheer and dance for a gentle man riding by?
Would I shout Hosanna and wave a palm in joy
For a man proclaimed as King?
Or would I tell the man “Turn back” and then
take that road myself into the city in his place?
Would I take the place of the man?
If I were to go back
Back to a garden
Back to a garden called Gethsemane
Would I stand in the night and watch over a gentle man
Would I listen to His prayer and hold Him as He wept
Would I hold back the one who betrayed Him with a kiss
Would I cling to the man and fight off the soldiers
And tell them of His love, his grace
And then hand myself over instead?
Would I take the place of the man?
If I were to go back
Back to a courtyard
A courtyard with jostling crowd, baying for blood
Would I stand with them and listen to the accusations and say…. nothing?
Would I watch the gentle man surrender without fight,
Or would I scream of His innocence.
Would I take the beating, the humiliation,
Would I take the crown of thorns and put it on my head
Would I take the cross from Him, and carry it instead?
Would I take the place of the man?
If I were to go back
Back to a hill
A hill with a gentle man on a cross
Would I listen to him forgiving all.
Would I watch the Saviour take my pain, my punishment, my death
If I were to go back
Would I fall on my knees and scream ‘It should be me!’
Would I raise my hands to the Christ
And shout my praise, my thanks, my love
Would I cry out to all who would listen of the joy and peace that is mine
Because this man took my place.
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by Amanda Mutono
