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Michael’s Easter

Albert Klassen

The heavens were ablaze with a glory no human eye could see,
Angels filled the heavens, countless as sand on the sea,
Their swords were drawn and blazing, they electrified the night,
While the demons stood their ground on earth, dancing in delight.

Michael was in the midst of them, fire smouldering in his eyes.
Amazed and perplexed, he rocketed through the skies,
For down below they were pounding nails into his Lord and King.
Throughout the heavens, loud and clear, he could hear the hammer ring.

As he looked up to the Father, there was silence at the throne.
He’d never seen the Great One look so all alone.
He watched Him as He winced every time the hammer hit,
And his anger rose within him, as the demons danced in the pit.

How could it be that the Son of God could be nailed upon a tree?
How could it be that there was no command, no order to set Him free?
How could it be that God watched in agony, silent upon the throne?
How could Heaven’s forces be held back when they listened to Him moan?

The Son looked up to Heaven, the shame of the world on His face,
But the Father turned His eyes away as if the Son had fallen from grace.
He called out with a loud voice, for His Father had turned away.
In His pain, He cried, “It is finished”, and the sky turned an angry grey.

The angels gasped in horror, and they yearned for the battle cry,
Michael shook his sword in the air, as he watched his Master die,
And the demons danced in a frenzy, as they led the Lord away.
The Son of God was theirs; they thought they had won the day.

Then the Father let loose His anger at the sin that broke His heart.
The mountains heaved, the sky turned dark, and the curtain split apart.
He shook His fist at a cruel, cruel world that took away His Son,
And He looked the devil in the eye, and He said, “It is done.”

Then the heavens were silent, and the angels held their breath,
Struck with grief and disbelief by the Master’s shameful death,
And the mighty angel Michael, the one who had no fears,
He bowed his head and hid his face, for his eyes were full of tears.

Then suddenly it happened, like lightning from the sky,
From the pit of sin, from the demons’ lair, there came a terrible cry.
The demons cried in terror, and they screamed in rage and pain,
For the Son of God had conquered sin and broken every chain.

Then from the pit He rose, and His robes were pure and white.
The beautiful face of the Son of God was bathed in a golden light,
And the angels rushed to meet Him, enraptured at such a sight,
And they hailed Him as the victor, and danced in sheer delight.

And then the hand of God went up, and the angel Michael roared;
With legions of angels at his side, he chased the demon horde,
And the deadly grip of sin was gone, there was hope for you and me,
For the Son had paid with His own dear life, and set humanity free.

Albert Klassen is a member of Northview Community Church in Abbotsford, B.C.

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Last modified May 4, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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