it wasn’t me
that cast the burden
denied the son
and all I heard in
temple
or with fish and loaves
outside the town
I wouldn’t know
it wasn’t me
who’s daughter dying
begged for breath
and saw her lying
there no more
by his command
her vitals strong
to rise and dance
about the room
it wasn’t me
who saw the crowds
yet disbelieved
his gospel preached
on love’s defense
the shepherd king
of fishermen
whose bread was it?
it wasn’t mine
a supper meant
to prophesy
and bless apostles
divinely picked
to build the church
brick by brick
no rooster crowed
to weigh my heart
for I could never
let him part
away from me
if I could speak
nor in the garden
kiss his cheek
betray the lamb
and sell his name
for silver coins
and fatal shame
and oh, not I
could be the one
for whom he bled
for whom he hung
it wasn’t me
that put him there
or took him down
limp and bare
and placed him in
a tomb of stone
for we were certain
death had won
we cleaned his endless
wounds and cuts
his broken body
and lifeless touch
anointing him
we placed his hands
and wrapped him well
in linen bands
we cried above
his holy bed
dear Lord! how can
this be the end?
and home we walked
in dark, at night
lost, forgetting
a promised life
my God, my God
I ask of thee
forgive this child
for it was me

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23

image: Forgotten Sin by Lance Brown

(a repost from March 2015)

palm procession
Hosanna sing
a road of robes
for colt and King
the people praise
He’s here! He’s come!
our saving grace
triumphant one
the figless tree
is cursed and dead
the time of temple
is at its end
and we will eat
with Christ, a last
before our treason
comes to pass
for come it does
with blood and bruise
denied and mocked
the King of Jews
and when He dies
on nail and wood
the tapestry
is torn for good
centurion
in witness, awed
proclaims the man
the Son of God

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:3-7

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:3

image: image; Anointing His Feet by Wayne Fort

I cannot type
another sprig
until I pen
of you my fig
la vie it was
and loss of it
and so I press
your tiny print
into the page
and speak, my plum
your pace of pulse
it’s quicker drum
the dreamed up smell
into your hair
a grin and chin
of pre world-ware
expectancy
of traits unknown
new love, my lime
already sown
and though the ache
has met defeat
I won’t forget
your budding beat
now in His hand
your form can bloom
and I let go
of losing you

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28

image: Fig tree by Ryu Itadani