Easter Sunday

Another quiet Sunday afternoon.
Still filled with fears and questions, but I know
Your stories take their time, so maybe soon
The way will be revealed, and I will go.
Till then, I wait and think about that morn
That guaranteed our hope, the end of night
At his rekindled light, when all the scorn
Seemed scant as those two Marys caught the sight
Of resurrection, life born out of death.
Their hope and joy once buried was renewed.
Their Jesus breathed with deep undying breath.
Forevermore, the darkness is subdued.
At last, the weight of ages finds release.
After the darkest day, unending peace.


Photo by J Lee on Unsplash

Holy Saturday

Another day, another coffee shop,
Longing for resurrection, wondering
If they knew they were waiting, that the stop
Was long expected, that the thundering
Was temporary. Could they fathom hope
Persisting past the ending of the dream?
Was life from death a long-forgotten trope?
Was this beyond God’s power to redeem?
Or worse, was this his will? Could they not see,
Deceived by words so many had refused,
Tricked by the man—for man he seemed to be?
Others were healed, but he died bloodied, bruised.
The silent tomb was sealed. What would they do?
Was anything they once believed still true?


Photo by Anandu Vinod on Unsplash

Good Friday

Another Friday, overcast and grey.
I sit alone to study but reflect
On that dark Friday years ago, the day
The light went out, when we failed to detect
The purpose through the pain that grew so great
All comforts were eclipsed, and in the ache
Of ignorance and fear, the hour grew late
Then passed for hope of rescue. Then the break
Of heart when his heart stopped and he grew still
And death remained what it had always been.
Perhaps one day the Lord would still fulfill
His word, but not this day. This day, our sin
And shame were at their height, and we below
The storm clouds wondered, “Where else shall we go?”


Photo by Dylan McLeod on Unsplash

Three Days

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Remember now the darkness of those three long days before
The dawning of the day of resurrection,
For few have felt the fear of thinking God had lost the war.
The shadow of his people’s insurrection
Now loomed across the future. Now our hope seemed spent and slain.
The light of life appeared to be extinguished.
The ones who sang his praises now in shock sang no refrain.
His life, howe’er, was willingly relinquished.
What seemed to be a sure defeat was fixed before the fall.
The devil’s darkest scheme was his undoing.
As Christ was lifted up, he drew all men to heed his call.
He drained the cup of wrath our sin was brewing.
The bitter silence of that Sabbath day must have been great.
Unheard, Satan’s presumpt’ous celebration.
When was it Satan realized the cross had sealed his fate?
The slaughtered lamb became our faith’s foundation.
We now look back in wonder at this work in history
And sing with joy to God who reigns eternal.
The cornerstone came forth again in holy victory
O’er ev’ry sin, the mean and the infernal.
The resurrection of the Son secured our joy and peace.
No enemy can sabotage or sever
Us from the Father’s love. In him, sin’s slavery must cease.
Sing praise, his people, now and to forever.


Photo by Ricky Turner on Unsplash

Easter

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Father, let me ne’er forget the story
Of the cross, the tomb, the third day’s glory.
For after those four hundred years so long,
Elijah’s call was heard throughout the land.
“The kingdom comes! Repent! Make straight the way!”
And with his words, John pointed to the Word,
The spotless lamb of God, the virgin’s son,
The heir to David’s throne, the promised one.
He brought us peace yet also brought a sword;
The people were divided in that day.
They cried. He died. They did not understand.
He rose, and this is evermore our song:
The king has won the war we could not fight;
The darkness has not overcome the light.


Photo by Laura Vinck on Unsplash