STATELY STEP

Advancing, undaunted,

Jesus, portrayed by John,

Faced down the Pharisees,

Faced Pilate, went forth - to

Golgotha - bearing the cross; lion

Turning not aside for any.

But Mark shows Him advancing

In service; forthright still

For God's will and men's blessing,

Bound to bondmanship, caring,

Doing all things well - one

Girt in the loins.

Reverting to prayer, reverting,

As custom, to the mount of Olives

He went - in Luke's account -

Separated from sinners, yet for them,

With the stately step right

For the he-goat.

On the royal line,

Legally and morally, goes

In divinely chosen comeliness

Through Matthew's account: a king -

Then, now, and coming - against whom

None can rise up.