Category Archives: jesus

revealed

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While I was away I had space to chill with God and I wrote a poem as part of my worship in that time. My inspiration was this picture, Chrysalis by Sieger KÖder, of the inside of the Jesus tomb, with light breaking in through the cracks. It struck me in a powerful way throughout the morning.


Revealed

Light breaking in,
piercing the darkness of the tomb.
A beautiful, yet sharp, reminder
of the cruel nails
piercing his flesh ’til death.

Only … then it seemed like
the darkness was pouring in
as the hammer chimed.
The end of hope.
The final breath quietly taken
of the creator who breathed first.

This piercing reveals the truth.
The promise pouring out
from the sides of the stone.
The secret hidden from time
within the mountainous
mind of God.

Rays, impatient with desire,
impregnate the darkness
of the pregnant tomb.
Hoping the secret of nature
had been written into
the God story itself.

First light again bursting upon
the new creation,
the new time,
the new relationship
the new risen Lord of time.

the waiting is over

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The waiting is over
Jesus is here
Up from the depths
leaving darkness behind

Hallelujah
He is Risen

the morning of questions

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Confusion?
Anger?
Depression?
Fear?
Cheated?

How did the disciples feel on the Saturday?

We know the end (or is it the beginning) of the story and what happens on Easter Sunday. But, the disciples did not.
Jesus was dead.
The Messiah in the tomb.
The King slain by the Romans.

How did they wake that morning?
‘If only?’
‘Why?’
‘Was he wrong?’
‘Was I wrong?’

A day of emptiness
exhaustion
disbelief
disillusionment

a dark dark day
staring into nothingness
wishing
thinking
willing
‘If only …’

And was the world without God
while he was in hell?
was creation on timer
until his return?
was heaven in silence
with no one to praise?
did the angels watch in fear
fading hope for his return?

Saturday
Jesus entombed in darkness
disciples bound in their gloom
humanity unconscious in the shadows
creation screaming out from the night

what have you done to my Lord?

I wonder…

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On Friday, before joining the Hope 08 meeting in London I made the time to go to the Hogarth exhibition at Tate Britain. It’s fantastic and worth the visit – but be prepared to wait 6 deep away from paintings before you can get a good view!

I was struck by this painting of Moses being handed over to Pharaoh’s daughter as outlined in Exodus 2:10. Hogarth seems to have captured the atmosphere amazingly. The tears of the natural mother and the excitement and expectation of Pharaoh’s daughter leapt out of the piece with a clean and innocent contrast of mothers emotions.

I was captivated, however, by the look and stance of the little boy Moses. Not wanting to leave his mum, but bravely stepping towards the held out hand of his new foster mum while clutching tightly onto the robe of his tearful mother, not wanting to let go, but knowing that he has to. Knowing, in fact, that his survival depends on this simple, but incredibly brave, small step.

And than I wondered as I tend to do at such times…

Did Jesus feel like this when he left his fathers side to join us on earth?
Did he take those brave steps tearfully while clutching the cloak of God, worried about leaving, but knowing he had to go?
Was Jesus scared in the same way Moses was scared?
As he stepped away from the presence of God, did God himself cry while Mary eagerly awaited his arrival in her arms?
A divine human contrast where loves causes tears and joy over this child?
Were those cries of the babe in the manger, cries of a saviour leaving his God?
Sent out from everything he had ever known, into the unknown of his creation?
I wonder…