Do Not Remind Me

I know I've posted this in years past, but it's my very favorite piece of poetry. It's the story of the crucifixion, and how we've become numb to it over the years because we know the end. Allow these words to help you journey to the foot of the cross and sit there for awhile. Tomorrow there will be plenty of time for rejoicing. Today, may we pause in the agony of grief.


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do not remind me (steve stockman)
lord do not help me to remember

that which i have heard so often

because reminding me would soften the wonder.

instead help me see it afresh

like i have never seen it before

let me look at it for the first time

not forewarned about the next part

help me believe that he might not die

that the disciples might rescue him

that pilate might be strong

that the crowds might shout "crucify barabas".

let me hear the hammer come down

let me hear the sound of nail through flesh

let me hear the cry of pain

let me sense the distress

let me watch as they put the cross in the ground

let me look on his face contorted with pain

ugly with the agony and the torture

of suffocation one moment

and then the crippling ache of pushing himself up on those nails to breathe

let me see the sky go black

let me hear him cry

"father forgive them for they know not what they do"

"it is finished"

let me watch as they carry him off dead.

surely dead and without hope of recovery.

let me feel that despair, that loss, that tragedy.

let me weep and mourn

for hope that's murdered

and dreams that lie in a tomb.
then lord, without reminding me

without indication of the wonder

take me to that tomb

let me be surprised and confused

at the stone rolled away

let me be angry at the thought of his body stolen

let me go inside to look, to seek some clue

and then let me turn to see him

let me not believe it for a moment

and then give me the full hurricane force of belief

let me jump and shout and scream for joy

let my heart leap and my soul go running off to highest heaven

with a little glimpse of what blinds the saints

do not remind me but let me experience it for the first time

sin forgiven, redemption bought, freedom won

the amazing wonder of the gospel that calls me a child of god

no lord do not remind me

for that would be as dull as knowing the end of the movie

having read the last page of the book

show me for the first time and let it change my life