The Great Instead – A Poem for Good Friday

The Great Instead – A Poem for Good Friday

by Tosha Lamdin Williams

Good Friday cries
“The King is lost!”
Instead of Throne,
There stands the cross.

Instead of robes,
His body torn.
Instead of crown,
He wears the thorn.

Instead of loyal—
His friends all run.
The reign of darkness
Has begun.

Instead of praise,
The King is mocked.
Instead of honor,
His body flogged.

Instead of water,
Vile drink is dealt.
(Then from His side,
The water spilt.)

Instead of sun,
The world goes dark.
Instead of Truth,
Lies hit their mark.

Creation groans
Beneath the weight;
The rocks are split,
The earth now quakes.

A mortal man—
The king who died?
Onlookers see
Him crucified.

Creator’s voice
Is silent now,
And Heaven’s breath
Seems paused somehow.

The king is dead.
But—mortal there?
“This must be God!”
The guard declares.

Still, into tomb,
All hope is cast.
But earth will open—
Death will not last.

For the final word
Is God’s alone.
His promise given;
Our sins atoned.

Instead of evil…
The cross reversed—
Sin’s stranglehold,
God broke the curse.

Instead of dark…
Here comes the light.
God conquers sin
And reveals what’s right.

The King still lives—
And His people, too.
Hell is haunted
But heaven is true.

Instead of ashes—beauty.
Instead of sorrow—praise.
Instead of weeping—glory.
Instead of judgment—grace.

For Sunday says,
The King reigns still.
The Great Instead,
Proves He always will.

by Tosha Lamdin Williams
For more, join us at Vanguard Church of Colorado Springs for Good Friday service on April 3, 2026; or hear a reading of this poem at The Family Disciple Me Podcast, also available on your favorite podcast platform.