John’s Passion of the Lord in Four Sonnets

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
Gospel: John 18:1-19:30
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041825.cfm

I
At night, Jesus prayed with his disciples
In the garden; Judas knew the place well.
He was now partnered with self-made rivals,
Priestly guards with swords waiting for the tell.

Jesus knew their intent and so inquired
“Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus.”
He said, “I AM” as the time had transpired
‘Take me and free these men who are with us.”

Peter drew his sword and cut a man’s ear
Jesus said to Peter, “Put that away”
I have a destiny beyond your fear.”
They seized Jesus and he, in turn, obeyed. 

Judas betrayed his friend for some silver
Like a mansion whose butler did pilfer.

II

High priest Annas started Jesus’s trial
And Peter was nearby within the grounds
A maid spoke, “You and him were rack and file.”
“We were not,” Peter abruptly expounds. 

The priest questioned Jesus on his doctrine,
He told him to speak to those who heard verse.
Peter, still outside, was questioned again,
A second denial, he was making it worse.

Back inside, a temple guard struck Jesus
He said, “Do not speak this way to a priest.”
Out front, a slave said, “Do not deceive us, 
Peter, you were with him and got released?”

As the cock crows announcing this night's end.
For a third time, Peter denied his friend

III

At daybreak, Jesus was brought to Pilate.
The priests said that he was a criminal.
“Take him yourselves, who am I to rebut?”
“We can’t kill him so we’re stuck liminal.“

So Pilot went back to Jesus and asked
“Are you the King of the Jews like they say?”
Jesus had some banter and went to task.
“My kingdom’s not here, but I’ve shown the way.”

Pilate found no guilt but he served the crowd;
Offered a chance of release, they denied.
Jesus was then scourged; they mockingly bowed. 
They beat and jested him with acts so snide. 

“With a thorny crown and a purple cloak,
Hail Jesus, King of the Jews! What a joke!”

IV

Pilate brought out Jesus and said to them
“I have found no guilt, this is what you want.” 
Mary’s there as she was in Bethlehem,
As the crowd yells a “Crucify him” taunt.

So Pilate gave Jesus more affliction
And said “Your king’s ready for his demise.
This afternoon shall be his crucifixion.”
Jesus carried his cross as they chastised

At the skull, he hung between two others,
Under a note that read “King of the Jews.”
Soldiers divide his clothes while he suffers
As he thirsts, common wine is what they choose.

As it touched his lips, he said “It’s finished.”
His spirit gone, the body diminished.