He was tried for murder, faced harsh imprisonment,
Convicted of treason, capital punishment.
The wrath of government would make him a lesson,
Publicly scorned, tortured, loathed, shamed, harsh oppression.

On execution day, the city in uproar,
A more heinous convict was found; all did abhor!
Mercy for convict one, the judge threw out his case.
Convict two, more loathsome, would be killed in his place!

The crowd cheered at this news. Their king they did decline!
The condemned was tortured! He looked like Frankenstein!
No quick execution for his vile transgression,
Publicly scorned, tortured, loathed, shamed, harsh oppression.

A long lingering death, wrath and doom with each breath
Every ounce of payment extracted in his death.
Torn from God’s dear presence, torn for man’s transgression,
Publicly scorned, tortured, loathed, shamed, harsh oppression.

The sin of man plundered, what an awfully strange scene,
‘Cause at the same time both justice and mercy seen!
The spotted lamb? Mercy?!? The spotless lamb? Justice?!?
Justice for Innocence?!? Mercy for injustice?!?

Barabbas was his name, his game, insurrection.
The murderer set free, by God’s intervention.
Heaven’s Mercy poured out, the Judge, in court’s session
Publicly scorned, tortured, loathed, shamed, harsh oppression.

(Matt. 27:16-26)