What if Jesus had responded to questions and comments as a spoken word poet? This was a Good Friday project I had immense fun in writing. Which is your favorite?
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from Nazareth?” – John 1:46
This question was asked of me…
Detractors constantly attacking me.
My zip code not to their liking.
“If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” – Luke 4:3
That’s what Satan said, trying to get into my head.
I reply, “No!” my Father’s work is by which I am led.
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother Mary?” – Mark 6:3
Oh Mother Mary, didn’t you know your stable Blessing
would hang from a cross in a dishonorable fashion?
“If you are willing, you can make me clean” – Mark 1:40
Clean? I’m like bleach to a stain,
I spot wash both your mortal sins and your moral shame.
“Who can forgive sins but God alone?” – Mark 2:7
Then the question is, “who am I?”
I make the lame walk, and the blind see,
but that’s nothing compared to moving a soul from chains to liberty.
“How can someone be born [again] when they are old?” – John 3:4
New life, rebirth, happens all around us.
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh upon us.
“Sir, give me this [living] water so I won’t thirst again.” – John 4:15
I am the well of life,
I am the spring without a faucet,
Invite me in, overflow,
you’ll never need to stop it.
“Why are your followers doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” – Mark 2:24
I made Sabbath for mankind, not mankind for the Sabbath.
You don’t serve a day of rest, you live so you can grasp it.
“Tell us by what authority you are doing these things?” – Luke 20:2
I speak and worlds fling into existence,
in me the laws of nature gain their relevance.
This good news I declare, radiates from my essence.
“Have mercy on us, Son of David.” – Matthew 9:27
Mercy? Well that’s my middle name, it speaks of who I am and of my fame,
It something I give to Black, White and Brown. God given grace heavenly rained down.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” – Mark 9:24
Everything is possible for those who believe,
Even when you have shaky faith in what you can’t see.
“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” – Matthew 12:10
People are the priority in the Kingdom of Heaven,
I see people, not religiousness disguised as entrapment.
“Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” – Matthew 12:38
A sign? Nah, not just any sign will do.
You destroy this temple, and I’ll rebuild it good as new.
“Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” – John 14:5
I make the claim, it’s exclusionary yet generously wide open.
To all, for all,
Hope is found in me, grace given by me,
if me is who you follow.
“Teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” – Luke 11:1
Here is what you say,
Father may your kingdom come, and my needs be met.
May my sins be forgiven as others’ sins I forget.
“Lord, show us the Father.” – John 14:8
I and the Father share the same shadow,
same longings, same heartbeat,
and our desire for you to follow.
“If you are the Messiah, tell us.” – Luke 22:67
Works speak louder than words, my acts have been a screaming.
If you trusted what you saw, you would be believing.
“Are you the king of the Jews?” – Matthew 27:11
Pilate questioned Jesus.
“Kings have a Kingdom” I replied, “mine is bursting in around us.”
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – Luke 23:42
Faith is less complicated when you’re hanging on a tree,
You’ve got nothing left to do but place your trust in me.
Trust well founded, rooted deep.
Heaven’s gates flung wide open for you,
Paradise with you… I seek.
