A Favorite Poem

A few days ago I shared my favorite literary passage to help set our minds for the Easter season. Today I want to share a favorite poem for the same reason.

I was first introduced to this poem, written by Martha Snell Nicholson, in my college freshman speech class a quarter of a century ago. It has been one of my favorites ever since.

Martha Snell Nicholson was born around 1898 and died in 1954. She was an invalid confined to her bed for over thirty years and wrote a number of stirring poems.

My Advocate (by Martha Snell Nicholson)

I sinned. And straightway, post-haste, Satan flew
Before the presence of the Most High God,
And made a railing accusation there.
He said, "This soul, this thing of clay and sod,
Has sinned, 'Tis true that he has named Thy name,
But I demand his death, for Thou hast said,
'The Soul that sinneth, it shall die.' Shall not
Thy sentence be fulfilled? Is justice dead?
Send now this wretched sinner to his doom.
What other thing can a righteous ruler do?"
And thus he did accuse me day and night,
And every word he spoke, O God, was true!

Then quickly One rose from God's right hand,
Before whose glory angels veiled their eyes.
He spoke, "Each jot and tittle of the law,
Must be fulfilled: the guilty sinner dies!
But wait . . . Suppose his guilt were all transferred
To ME and that I paid his penalty!
Behold My hands, My side, My feet! One Day
I was made sin for him, and died that he
Might be presented faultless, at Thy throne!"
And Satan fled away. Full well he knew
That he could not prevail against such love,
For every word my dear Lord spoke was true!