No ordinary thread
this simple length of hemp
fringing the journey from
manger to the cross.
No ordinary thread
dye saturated with holiness;
still damp
from walking on water.
Priestly garb, this
to finger lightly,
having brushed blood, and hunger
death and demon stench.
Count the miracles
strand by strand by strand.
‘Tis just a touch
but choosing, one could weave a lifetime
eternal.
jfig 3/2020
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you, “Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
“Matthew 14:22 (NIV) – Immediately Jesus made the disciples.” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 5 Apr, 2020. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/mat/14/22/p1/s_943022>.
Things to ponder: In this expanded passage, both Peter, and the sick, are reaching toward Jesus. What does it feel like to you personally, to ‘reach’ for Jesus? What holds you back?
What would it look like to ‘choose’ Jesus in your current circumstances? Luke 4:18-21
Roasted Words 