Oh Death Where is Your Victory?

He walked the earth and searched you out,
And soon He found you,
But you were now on death row...
And Death already gripped your hand.

He walked towards Death to fight him...
To receive your death sentence
But you were blindfolded and couldn't see,
And so, His face you slapped...
For freedom was not your expectation,
For who would take your place?
Who would bear your condemnation?
Who would want to receive your death sentence?

Tears stung His eyes 
As He looked at the Judge,
"Father, forgive him,
For he knows not what he does,"  He softly said.

Death then took hold of His hand,
And with each drop of His blood
Death's grip on you was loosened,
And so...the blindfold of Death, of Condemnation - falls.

And now you see:
His eyes, looking down in pain,
Death is strangling Him for your crime
And your crown of shame is placed firmly on His head.

Then, He breathes His last,
His eyes still fixed on you...
You bow your head, for you know He saved you,
You turn from Him and you see the Judge.

His own face is turned,
For He cannot stand to see His own Son's pain,
The room is darkened, but still you see heaven's tears,
And so you tremble in your fear,
For who knows what He will now do.

The Judge turns to His Son's lifeless body where it lays,
Then slowly He looks up at you...
Your mouth opens to beg for forgiveness,
"Shh,"  says the Judge,  "Just watch My Son."

And so you do...and so does Death,
Death trembles as He sees the Son's hands clench in a fist
His eyes open and they are filled with victory,
He jumps up in triumph and holds up Hades keys for all to see.

You look towards the Judge
Pride shines in His gleaming eyes,
"Oh, Death, where now is your victory?!"
Death trembles and he cries.

The Judge looks towards you and speaks,
"My beloved child, this is Jesus,
Through Him you have triumphed over Death...
Your crime has been forgiven,
Your punishment is gone."
And here's a first - by Love Himself you are embraced.

And then there is a splendid light,
Angels singing, the Father clapping
Heaven and earth are bowing
To the Wonderful Counselor, the King of Kings, to Emanuel!!!