Thiefs Plea
[Verse 1]
Stop with the disdain that you hurl
Know how His days have unfurled, before this Place of a Skull
With a plot, they opposed Him and He not once bemoaned
They brought Him to those at odds with what He taught to the folks
Yelled to crucify this Man whom they awfully loathe
I heard He said He would die, His followers thought that He won't
Thought their Messiah would free them; now on the cross we behold
And treat Him like He's already dead, casting lots for His robe
The people stop and they joke, Him they watch and provoke
To come down from the cross, to see Him drop so they know
That He's the Christ that God chose, I look on surprised how composed
He is, agonized as He groans, even despised by His own
I was in the rowdy crowd, all cheering for flogging
Now the shouts continue, I'm overhearing them talking
Everyone nearing His cross is... jeering and scoffing
With the rulers and soldiers, all sneering and mocking
Screaming demeaning words, blaspheming, wagging their heads
At His feet, a small group's mourning, all others are laughing instead
They're all looking, but not seeing, He's rejected for not leading
Them into peace and freedom, believing He's caught deceiving
Seeming He riled up false hope, I reviled Him also
Until it hit me and I noticed how vile and how cold
They act to a dying man; like them, you're an impious wretch
Do you not fear God, having the same judgment? Your demise is next!
[Chorus]
So how do you plead? Now do you see?
This Man is the King and all will bow on their knees
And we will see Him coming on the clouds with glory
So make a vow to receive; don't denounce, but believe!
He's in the centre, you're either right or you're left
The Suffering Servant, it's for your life that He bled
He came to rise and ascend, to pay the price of your debt
What humankind can't attempt; so don't deny, but accept!

[Verse 2]
This just Man hurt nobody, now He's hanging between us two
We're being punished justly, receiving our just due
I'm confused; He's innocent, but has no grudge, He's calm
We deserve this, but this Man has done nothing wrong
I got this tree for my sin and I'm dying in the midst
Pain intensifying from the wrists, I'm writhing, can't persist
But He was convicted, affixed, inflicted with spit, hits, and whips
Afflicted, His skin's ripped, He's stripped of His garments and yet He gives
Forgiveness to any claiming guilt those decrying say is His
They even cursed themselves while denying who He is
His enemies, they envy, His closest friends, they left, fleed
Frankly, how's He not angry at the contempt? He must be heavenly
Doesn't act human; so marred with scars, doesn't look it either
He took the heat, spurned; and now He overlooks them, eager
To show mercy; falsely accused, yet was a silence-keeper
Never seen a serener demeanor, just violent pleaders
And now as they try persuade Him to save His life to place
Their faith in Him, how could He be so nice to say
"Father, forgive them"? As they criticize, He prays!
So with mortifying aches, death nigh, crucified, I stake
My life on Jesus, turning to Him in my restraint
Seeking His defiant grace, I cry and gaze and I exclaim
Remember me when, in Your kingdom, You arrive to reign
"Truly, I do say, you will be with Me in Paradise today"
[Chorus - 2x]
So how do you plead? Now do you see?
This Man is the King and all will bow on their knees
And we will see Him coming on the clouds with glory
So make a vow to receive; don't denounce, but believe!
He's in the centre, you're either right or you're left
The Suffering Servant, it's for your life that He bled
He came to rise and ascend, to pay the price of your debt
What humankind can't attempt; so don't deny, but accept!