The Garden

We descend and cross the brook, 

dark as blood, to enter the garden. 

Here, My agony begins. 

I ask My companions to bear witness, 

but a stupor overwhelms them. 

As they sleep, no comfort is Mine.

I encounter the adversary. 

He tempts my retreat, but I will not relent. 

I have one thing sufficient alone to withstand all. 

Onto this precious thing 

I hold and will not let go. 

All is preserved within this shining core.

Time seems to stop and in a span immeasurable, 

I know the torments of uncounted lifetimes. 

I confront the cumulative horror of all flesh; 

the searing arsenal of the adversary. 

Though mortality is heavy upon Me, 

I will not falter.

Eternities I suffer, as the weight of this world 

on fire presses down and by every woe since 

the beginning, I am slowly crushed. 

My blood like oil flows onto the ground.

The agony of all mortal life is wrung out 

and to the very dregs, I drink empty this

overflowing cup to its final, bitter drop.

Wrath itself I consume, 

that the vessel of joy may instead be ours.

Each innocent abused, every trust betrayed, 

burden and trial, sorrow and sickness, 

the loss and most wretched grief 

of all who shall ever live, I endure. 

I learn firsthand the panic and despair 

of the mother desperately seeking 

her precious one lost to the world.

Alone, I learn the desolate 

solitude of every outcast. 

I cry out, for in this 

is no surrender and no shame. 

I then share the suffering of every harm yet 

to be done in My own name by the misguided 

and this is the grievous worst, by far.

I feel each horrible and wonderful thing 

of which we are capable and every twist of 

the unfolding future. 

How shall any lead save by example? 

This suffering, freely chosen and my life,

willingly offered; remains a demonstration 

of love, infinite and eternal. 

Thrones I decline in order to serve, that you 

may know the spirit is master of the flesh. 

Realize that you can love another above 

and beyond yourself; offering everything 

you are for the sake of this love 

and all I have is forever yours.