LUKE: WOMEN

Elizabeth

From that old tree at last
Comes one fruit; sweet to the eye,
Tart to the taste.

Mary

From its first flourishing that tree
Bears the most exquisite
Fruit.

Anna

Who would have thought
That antique tree would burst
In one last tumult of blossom?

Luke 7

Even in its wilderness
Light has touched that tree;
Myrrh weeps from its wounds.

Luke 8

From their substance
These trees produce varied fruits -
What an orchard!

Luke 13

That old bent shrub
- A miracle -
Stands now tall and straight.

Luke 23

What untimely autumn
Afflicts the leaves of these trees
To gold and bronze?

Luke 24

Out of what winter
Does that almond blossom
Drink the new-risen Sun?

15/04/10

SEEING A MAN

Seeing a Man
Who harboured in His heart
The detail of God’s will,
And forged out thus to do it,
God is satisfied
In Jesus.

Seeing a Man,
Light to a heart’s dark,
Food to a famished heart,
Joy to its grimness
I am satisfied
In Jesus.

Seeing a man
Acquired at the cost of His blood,
Clad in His excellence,
Blessed and re-forged by His Spirit
Jesus is satisfied
In me.

CHOICES

One Person did the Father’s will
And answered to His voice;
Lord Jesus, how our beings thrill
To Thee, the Father’s choice.

But now we know that we are those
Who, ere the world began,
The Father, for His pleasure, chose
For favour in that Man.

So let us choose the Father’s way
In hearkening to the Son
That Christ may give us, in His day,
The accolade “Well done”.

PERFECTION

Never to stir but
As another guides you is
Perfection in man.

MORE EXCELLENT

As I have Rosie in my arms
I think, is any bliss -
Are any eyes, or lips, or charms -
More excellent than this?

There is a face I have not seen,
A voice I have not heard,
A gracious dignity and mien,
Which are to be preferred.

While still, blest Spirit, sight and touch
Hold me, help, I implore,
To daily love my Rose as much
And love my Mastermore.

SON

I love the Father since He gave
His well beloved Son
That love should bind me as His slave...

You can choose now
From a variety of endings
Or even produce some for yourself:

How does “And made me like that One”
Suit you? Or would you prefer:
“Since Jesus’ work is done”.
Rhyme can force a meaning
Not intended - how about
“A trophy Christ has won”? No doubt
You can provide one of your own.

PETER

Adjusted by Christ’s might in the creation,
Beside the feet of Jesus Peter knelt
Acknowledging the sinfulness he felt.

Adjusted by the Father’s revelation
He found the humble Carpenter who trod
Beside him was the Christ, the Son of God.

Adjusted by severeness of rebuke
He learned that Christ was ready to fulfil,
Cost what it would, the details of God’s will.

Adjusted by the glory of the Father
He heard that no man’s glory might be linked
With Christ since the Beloved is distinct.

Adjusted by the Master’s loving look
Appreciation of his vileness swept
Across his being, and he turned and wept.

Adjusted by the Shepherd’s yen to gather
He came with those whom Jesus folded in
To form a circle Christ could come within.

BETHANY

He came to Bethany - there
To speak, adjust, and depend,
And love. To make the place
His hearth, the home where
It was suitable for Him to be distinguished,
In resurrection power, as Son of God.
There nard acknowledged
His moral path, nard gave savour
Of Man according to God.
And in that place He last
Touched earth - leaving on earth
Something resonant with heaven.