SIX FEET
Maybe this year, we will not crucify Him
Six feet
Step back
Reassess
No mob, nor riot
Shouting “Crucify”
Step back!
Maybe this year, we will not crucify him
Distancing ourselves
From our fears
Character unknown
In such proximity.
Perhaps we will
Interrogate ourselves
Willfulness or honest conviction?
Which draws me
To the bedside
Of another’s pain?
Attend: Dare I exploit
Frail posture of another
For power
Or gain?
Maybe this year
We will not crucify him.
jfig 3/20
Dear Reading Friends, I thought I would not write a poem today. Instead, I found myself writing two – one for tomorrow – and being invited to reflect on these words from Jesus. I share them with the humility of needing them as much as anyone. jfig
” This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:10
“Why are you sleeping,” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22:46
“Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:48
The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” Luke 22:61
They asked then, “Are you the Son of God?”
He replied, “You say that I am.” Luke 22:70
A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”‘ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Luke 23:28-31
“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
“Luke 22:1 (NIV) – Now the Festival of Unleavened.” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 10 Apr, 2020. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/luk/22/1/p1/s_995001>.
Lord Jesus, I am astounded that your gaze finds so many faces in the crowd, my face – even as you are dying. You tell me the truth, don’t you? No one else invites me to be so honest with myself, and yet receive compassion. At this wide open altar of your making, I lay down – exchange – my fear and arrogance, for your words of invitation and truth. May they become the pillars on which I stake my living. In your precious name, Amen
Forever
One never imagines
Suffering an invitation
Yet here it is
His pain carrying mine
across his back.
His agony in the garden
beckons—
Living,
to choose dying
“Stay with me.”
And as our best efforts crumble
He stays with us
Forever.
jfig 4/2020
“Luke 22:1 (NIV) – Now the Festival of Unleavened.” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 10 Apr, 2020. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/luk/22/1/p1/s_995001>.
Roasted Words 