Christian Poetry: "Cross of Shame"

I wrote this poem in reflecting on the weight of what Jesus did for us on the cross and how He took our shame on that tree. Therefore, when we repent and turn to Christ, we need not hold onto shame but look to the One who bore it on our behalf.

Simply indescribable

Was the grief and agony

Barely recognizable

Human form marred on that tree

And they scorned and stared and cursed

The Son of God, the Son of man

Was it the cross that burdened

Or the weight of all our sin?

Dying with the criminals

Who were punished for their crime

Humiliated before the world

Displayed high on that hillside

And they said:

"Look at Him

He is the guilty one

Look at Him

He is the one to blame

Look at Him

Sad-looking spectacle

Hanging upon a

Cross of shame"

I can feel my heart sink

When I'm burning with regret

"Shame on you; shame on you"

Those words still sting deeply yet

Only because of His blood

Can we dare lift up our face

Can you see Him on that hill

Substitute public disgrace

Dying with the criminals

Punished for our crime

Seeing each of our faces

As He looked down through time

And I say:

Look at Him

He had done nothing wrong

Look at Him

We were the ones to blame

Look at Him

In our stead the spectacle

Hanging upon a

Cross of shame

Have you carried shame as your acquaintance

Though infamous and draining it may be

Afraid of letting go, afraid of being known

Well, there's a Man on a hill you need to see

Look at Him

He had done nothing wrong

Look at Him

We were the ones to blame

Look at Him

Sad-looking spectacle

Hanging upon a

Cross of shame

And because there is a clearing

That cross I am endearing

Yes, that cross of shame

(C) 2026 Heather Clark