Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. Mark (Chapter 16)
When Sabbath Day was o’er, Mary, Salome
And Mary Magdalene had bought spices,
To go anoint the body of Jesus.
They reached the tomb when sun has just risen;
On week’s first day, they wondered who will roll
The stone away for them at tomb’s entrance.
They came but saw the large stone rolled away!
Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sit,
In robe of white, clad; they were so amazed.
He said to them, “Don’t be amazed, you seek
Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified;
He’s not here; Behold the place He was laid!
He has been raised from the dead and alive”
Go tell His disciples and Peter too,
“He goes ahead to Galilee;
There they will see Him, as He told! ”
Afraid, they fled out of the tomb, trembling;
They did not speak to anyone right then.
Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene
And drove out seven demons, out of her.
She told her mourning companions of this.
They didn’t believe hearing He was alive;
He appeared in another form to two
Of them, while walking to the country-side.
They came and told the others about this.
He then appeared to eleven at table,
Rebuking them for utter disbelief,
Hardness of heart, despite being well told;
He said to them, “Go into the whole world,
Proclaim the Gospel to every creature! ”
Whoev’r believes and baptized, will be saved;
Whoever doesn’t believe will be condemned.
The signs that come to those who me believe:
They’ll drive out demons in my name;
And speak new languages;
They’ll pick up serpents with bare hands;
No poison that they drink can ev’r harm them;
By placing hands over the sick, they’re cured.
Soon after Jesus had spoken to them,
He was taken into heaven,
And took His seat at the right hand of God.
His disciples went forth and preached as told;
Lord worked with them and confirmed it by signs!
poem by John Celes
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20)
It was the day one of the week;
When dawn broke, Mary Magdalene
Came early to the tomb, though dark
And saw the stone large, set aside!
She hurried to Simon Peter,
And other one, whom Jesus loved,
And said, ‘The Lord has been taken.
We don’t know where they have put Him.’
So, Peter with the other one,
Both ran towards the tomb at once;
The other disciple reached first,
But did not go into the tomb.
He bent down, saw the burial clothes!
Then Peter went into the tomb and saw
And saw the burial clothes lie there;
The cloth that covered Jesus’ head
Lay rolled up in a separate place.
The other disciple went in
And saw, believed the state of things;
For, they didn’t know the scripture say:
‘He had to rise from dead, third day! ’
The two disciples returned home.
But Mary stayed outside the tomb;
Bending over the tomb, she wept;
She saw two angels in white there:
One at the head, one at the feet,
Where Jesus’ body had been laid.
They asked, ‘Woman, why do you weep?
She said, ‘They’ve taken the Lord away!
I don’t know where they have laid Him.’
At as she said, she turned around,
Saw Jesus but didn’t recognize.
Jesus asked her, ‘Woman, why weep?
Whom are you searching for right here? ’
She thought it was the gardener.
She asked him, ’Sir, please tell me where
You’ve laid Jesus and I’ll take Him! ’
Then Jesus called to her, ‘Mary!
She said in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni! ’
Then Jesus said, ‘Stop holding to me;
I’ve not ascended to Father.
But go and tell my brothers all,
I’m going to my Father, God! ’
Then Mary Magdalene went back,
Told all disciples, all she saw.
While disciples stayed with doors locked,
For fear of Jews and evening came:
Then, Jesus stood in their ’midst, said,
‘Peace be with you, peace be with you!
As Father sent me, I send you.’
He breathed on them and said to them,
‘Receive the Holy Spirit now!
Whose sins you forgive, are forgiv’n,
Whose sins you retain, are retained.’
Thomas wasn’t there when Jesus came;
The others told, ‘We’ve seen the Lord.’
He said, ‘Unless I see the mark
Of nails in hands and side, and put
My finger into them, I’ll not
Believe in whatever you say.’
When Thomas was with disciples,
A week later, again inside,
Then Jesus came, though doors were locked,
And said to them, ‘Peace be with you! ’
He told Thomas, ‘Put your finger
Into my hands, into my side;
Don’t be unbelieving, Believe! ’
Then Thomas said, ‘My Lord, My God! ’
Then Jesus asked, ‘Do you believe
Because you have all seen me now?
Bless’d are those who haven’t, yet, believe! ’
Then Jesus did many more signs,
In presence of his disciples.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-27-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. Matthew (Chapter 28)
When Sabbath day was over then,
And week’s first day was still in dawn,
Mary and Mary Magdalene,
Both came to see the tomb again.
Behold, there came an earthquake great,
An angel came from heaven’s gate,
And having rolled away the stone,
The angel sat upon it lone.
He appeared bright akin lightning,
And dressed in white, snowy clothing;
The guards with fear lay shaken then,
And turned at once almost dead men!
The angel told the two women:
‘You fear not for, I’m from heaven!
You search for Him, Jesus, I know,
The one who was crucified, Oh! ’
‘He is not here, right now today;
He has been raised from dead, I say;
Come see the place wherein He lay.
Go tell His disciples this, Aye! ’
‘Raised from the dead, He goes ahead
To Galilee ’fore you, He said;
You can all see Him there, behold,
And certainly, as I have told! ’
The women left the tomb in haste;
Their visit had not been a waste;
Afilled with fear and joy, they ran
To tell His disciples, Oh, man! ’
But Jesus met them on their way;
And greeted them like a great Fay;
They fell and paid Him homage then,
Embracing feet of His divine!
And Jesus said to them, ‘Don’t fear.
Go tell my brothers all you hear;
Ask them to go to Galilee,
And there, they can all well see me.’
When they were hurrying to see them,
Some guards had reached city’s gates,
And told chief priests, the happenings.
They counseled with the elders there;
They gave the soldiers money fair;
And warned them to tell everyone:
His disciples stole Jesus when
They slept at night, as wearied men!
‘They promised them that they would save
From governor, if they behave;
And satisfy his questions well,
And keep them out of great trouble.’
The soldiers took the bribe-money;
They did as they were instructed;
Among the Jews, this false story,
Was wantonly circulated.
The disciples all eleven went
To Galilee’s mountain, as sent,
As ordered by Jesus and saw
Him, worshipped but doubted, in awe!
Then Jesus came and said to them,
‘All pow’r in earth and in heaven,
Has been to me, accorded then.
You go therefore to all nations,
And make more disciples of men.’
‘And baptize them in Father’s name,
Spread Son and Holy Spirit’s fame;
And teach them follow my commands,
And carry out heaven’s errands.’
‘Behold, I am with you always,
Until the end of age, all days! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 6-16-2007
poem by John Celes
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. Luke (Chapter 24)
The Resurrection:
1 On week’s first day, early morning,
The women took prepared spices,
And went to see the tomb, by walk.
2 They found the stone across the tomb’s
Entrance just rolled away aside;
3 But when they entered, they didn’t find
The body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And while they wondered about this,
There came two men so suddenly,
In clothes that gleamed like lightning white,
And stood beside them, causing fright.
5 The frightened women bowed face down,
With faces looking to the ground,
The men asked them, 'Why do you look
For living souls among the dead?
6 He is not here; He has risen!
Remember how He had told you,
While He ‘as with you in Galilee:
7 'The Son of Man must handed be,
Over to hands of sinful men,
Who’ll crucify Him unto death,
But on third day, He’ll be raised.'
“8 They remembered then Jesus’ words.
9 When they had gone back from the tomb,
They told these things to Eleven,
And others too, who were their friends.
10 It was then Mary Magdalene,
Joanna, Mary, James’ mother,
And others told the apostles.
11 They didn’t believe the women’s talk,
Because their words seemed like nonsense.
12 But Peter got up, ran to tomb.
He bent over the tomb and saw
The strips of linen lie aside,
And went away, thinking within,
His mind as to what had happened.
On the Road to Emmaus:
13 That same day then, some two of them
Were going to Emmaus village,
Seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 They talked to each other of things
That happened on the previous days.
15 While talking and discussing things,
Jesus Himself came up and walked,
Along with them; but they knew not.
16 They could not recognize Him then.
17 He asked them both, 'What’s the matter
You’re discussing as you walk on? '
They stood aghast, faces downcast.
18 So, one of them, named Cleopas,
Asked Him, 'Are you a visitor just
To Jerusalem? Don’t you know
The things that have happened these days? '
19 'What things? ” the stranger asked of them.
'Of Nazarene Christ, ' they replied.
'He was a prophet, powerful
In word and deed, ’fore God, people.
20 The chief priests and our rulers then
Handed Him o’er on death sentence;
They crucified Him and He died;
21 But we’d hoped that He was the one
Who would redeem Israel at last.
And what’s more perplexing is that
On third day, since all this took place.
22 Some of our women amazed us.
They went to see the tomb early,
23 But did not find His body there.
They came and told they’d seen angels,
Who said He had risen alive.
24 Then some of us went to the tomb,
And found it just as women said,
But Him, they did not see at all.'
25 He said to them, 'How foolish you’re,
And slow of heart to believe all
That prophets have spoken earlier!
26 Didn‘t Christ have to suffer these things
And then enter His glorious Home? '
27 And starting with Moses, Prophets,
He explained to them what was said
In Scriptures all concerning Him.
28 As they approached the said village,
Jesus pretended to go on.
29 But they urged Him strongly to stay,
'For, it was nearly evening;
The day was almost over then.'
So Jesus went to stay with them.
30 When at the table with them all,
He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it
And gave it to them, one by one.
31 Their eyes were opened, all at once
And when they recognized Him then,
He disappeared from their sight fast.
32 They asked each other, 'Weren’t our hearts
Burning within us, while He talked
About the Scriptures on the road? ”
33 They returned to Jerusalem.
They found the Eleven there and those
With them, assembled together,
34 And saying, 'It is true! The Lord
Has risen, appeared to Simon.'
35 They told what had happened en way,
And how Jesus was recognized
By them when He had broken bread.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
36 While they were talking still like this,
Then Jesus Himself stood ’mongst them
And said to them, 'Peace be with you.'
37 So startled and frightened were they!
They thought they saw a ghost that hour.
38 He asked them, 'Why are you troubled,
And why do doubts rise in your minds?
39 'O look at my hands and my feet! '
’Tis I myself! Just touch and see;
A ghost hasn’t flesh and bones like me.”
40 When He had said this, He then showed
His apostles, His hands and feet.
41 And while they still did not believe,
Because of joy and amazement,
He asked, 'Do you have food to eat? '
42 They gave a piece of broiled fish then;
He ate it all in their presence;
44 He said, 'This is what I told you
While I was still with you earlier:
All must be fulfilled that is writ
In Law of Moses about me,
And Prophets and Psalms in Scriptures.”
45 Then Christ opened their minds and
They could understand Scriptures.
46 He told them, 'This is what’s written:
‘Christ will suffer and rise from dead
On third day,47 When repentance and
Forgiveness of sins will be preached,
In His name to nations, starting
At Jerusalem.48 Witnesses
Are you of all these things you see.
49 I’m going to send what my Father
Has promised; Stay in the city
Till clothed with power from on high.'
The Ascension:
50 When He ‘ad led them near Bethany,
He lifted up His hands, blessed them.
51 While He was blessing them, He left
Them and was taken to Heaven.
52They worshiped Him and then returned
To Jerusalem with great joy.
53 And they stayed at temple for long time,
And praised the Living God, Most High.
(7-7-2007)
poem by John Celes
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. John (Chapter 11)
A man called Lazarus was ill,
Brother of Mary, Bethany;
This Mary had anointed Lord’s feet
By perfumed oil, dried by her hair!
So, Mary sent word to Jesus,
‘Master, the one you love is ill.’
(Meaning her brother Lazarus)
When Jesus heard, then He remarked,
‘This illness isn’t to end in death.
But for the glory of God’s works
And that the Son be glorified.’
Now Jesus loved Martha, Mary
And Lazarus who’d fallen ill;
He went to Judea later;
His disciples told Him, ‘Rabbi,
The Jews had wanted to stone you,
You want to go back to that place? ’
Then Jesus answered, ‘Are there not
Twelve hours by day for one to walk?
None stumble then for world has light.
But when he walks alone at night,
He stumbles as he has no sight!
Then Jesus said, ‘Friend Lazarus
Has gone asleep, let me wake him.’
They said, ‘If he sleeps, he’ll be saved! ’
But Jesus talked of deathly sleep,
While disciples, of slumber deep.
Jesus told, ‘Lazarus is dead! ’
Let’s go to him that you believe.
So, Thomas said, ‘Let’s die with him! ’
When Jesus reached Lazarus’ house,
He had died four days earlier.
Bethany lay two miles away!
Some Jews arrived to comfort them;
When Martha heard Jesus would come,
She went to meet; Mary sat home.
Then Martha told Him, ‘Lord, if you’d
Been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.’
‘But even now, I know whatev’r
You ask of God, He will give you.’
Jesus said, ‘Your brother will rise! ’
Martha replied, ‘Yes, Lord, I know,
He’ll resurrect on the last day.’
‘I am the resurrection, life! ’
Then Jesus said. ‘Whoev’r believes
In me, ev’n if he dies, will live!
And everyone who lives, believes
In me, will never die at all.
‘Do you believe this? ’ asked Jesus.
Then Martha replied, ‘Yes, my Lord.
I do believe you’re Son of God;
I know that you’re the Messiah,
The one who’s coming to the world!
She told her sister in secret,
‘The Teacher’s here and asks for you! ’
On hearing, Mary rose to greet.
But Jesus had not reached village.
When Mary saw Jesus, she fell
At his feet and said to Him, ‘Lord
If only you had been here then,
My brother would not be now dead.’
On seeing Mary and Jews weep,
Then Jesus perturbed, became sad.
He asked, ‘Where has he been entombed? ’
They said to Him, ‘Sir, come and see! ’
And Jesus wept while Jews all said,
‘Look, how He loved poor Lazarus! ’
But some remarked, ‘Could not the one
Who opened eyes of blind beggar,
Have done something to avoid death?
So, Jesus reached the place of tomb;
It was a cave with stone across;
Jesus said, ‘Take the stone away.
Then Martha said, ’Tis four days now,
Should there a stench be, all around? ’
Then Jesus asked, ‘Did I not tell
If you believe, God’s glory’s seen!
Then Jesus raised his eyes to Heav’n,
And said, ‘I thank you Father, God.
I know You always have heard me,
I said so, that they may believe.’
And having said this, Jesus cried,
‘Lazarus, Come out! ’ in voice loud.
The dead man came with hands, feet tied,
With burial bands and face cloth-wrapped.
So Jesus said, ‘Untie him soon! ’
Now many Jews who had come there,
Began to believe in Jesus.
But some went to the Pharisees,
And told them what he ‘ad done that day.
So, they convened the Sanhedrin,
And said, ‘What do we do hence-forth?
This man performs so many signs.’
If we leave Him alone for now,
All will believe in Him and Rome
Will take away, our nation whole.’
But one Caiaphas, high-priest that year
Remarked, ‘You know not anything,
Nor do you consider better
That one man dies, not more people
And whole nation may not perish,
And gather dispersed God’s children.’
They planned to kill Him, from that day!
So, Jesus didn’t walk in public,
And left for Ephraim, desert-town,
And there He stayed with disciples.
The Jewish Passover was near.
Many came to Jerusalem.
They looked for Jesus everywhere
And wondered if He will ev’r come.
For, Pharisees and chief priests all,
Had given orders to inform,
If they should come across Jesus,
So that, they could arrest Him soon.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-24-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Tomb Is Empty
Face it friend, the tomb is empty; death couldn’t hold Christ, you see,
Although He died for you and me, He’s now on the Throne of Eternity.
The stone, covering where Christ lay, by God’s hand, was rolled away.
In that tomb where Christ was laid, only Christ’s grave clothes stayed,
There He stood, in a body Glorified, Jesus Christ, who bled and died.
Mary was the first one to that tomb, bearing a heart filled with gloom,
She assumed the body was taken, but she would be gladly mistaken,
For, with her heavy heart that day, she would soon hear an angel say,
You will not find Christ Jesus dead, for He rose just like He had said.
She left to tell others not to grieve, for The Lord, they too would see.
Now Mary filled with a joyful heart, from an empty tomb would depart,
Filled with wonder she ran to those, other disciples, to say Christ rose.
Peter began running fast ahead; as they had thought Christ was dead,
Now he ran with much anticipation, enthused by a brand new situation,
Looking inside he just saw clothes, for from the grave Christ had rose.
But all hearts stayed, like the tomb, until Christ entered into that room,
Showing them His hands and side, proving He was The One who died.
Christ would stay for forty days, filling their hearts with joy and praise,
Filing them with His Hope and victory, that will last through all eternity,
Where they shall remain forevermore, with their Savior, Christ our Lord.
(Copyright ©04/2007)
Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. Matthew (Chapter 17)
Then Jesus took Peter, James, John,
And led them up a high mountain;
He was transfigured before them,
His face illumined like the sun;
His clothes became white like bright light!
Behold, then Moses, Elijah,
Appeared to converse with Jesus.
Then Peter told Jesus up there:
‘’Tis good that we are here, O Lord.
If you so wish, we’ll make tents three,
One for Moses, Elijah, you! ’
While Peter was still speaking thus,
A bright cloud cast its shadow there;
A voice from within cloud then said,
‘This is my Son, beloved one,
In whom, I’m pleased, listen to Him! ’
The disciples fell prostrate then,
On having heard the voice fearsome!
But Jesus came and touched them, said:
‘Arise and do not be afraid! ’
And then His disciples now saw,
There was no one, except Jesus.
While descending the mountain, then,
Said Jesus to them, ‘Do not tell
About the vision to someone,
Until the Son of Man be raised
From dead after three days had passed! ’
His disciples then asked Him why
Scribes say must come, Elijah first?
He said, ‘Indeed, Elijah will
Come and restore, all things aright.’
‘He has already come, I say,
And they did not recognize him;
But did to him as they so pleased.
The Son of Man will suff’r like-wise!
The disciples mis-understood,
He spoke of John, the Baptist then.
When they approached a crowd, a man
Knelt down and begged of Him and said,
‘Pity my son, O Lord Jesus,
A lunatic, he suffers much;
He falls into the fire oft,
And falls in water too often.
I brought him to your disciples,
But they could not cure his illness.’
Then, Jesus said, ‘O faithless ones,
Behold, perverse generation:
How long should I be with you all?
How long must I endure your wrongs? ’
‘Just bring him here to me, ’ He said.
When Jesus chided him, there came,
A demon out of him too soon;
The boy was cured at that instant.
When disciples asked Him, ‘Why Lord,
Why couldn’t we drive the demon out? ’
He said, ‘Because of little faith.’
‘Amen, I say to you that if
Your faith although be mustard-sized,
If when you order mountain, ‘Move!
It will move then immediately.
Nothing’s impossible for you.’
In Galilee, then Jesus said,
‘The Son of Man will handed be,
To men and they will kill Him then,
The third day, He’ll arise alive.’
And they were overwhelmed with grief.
When they had come to Capernaum,
The temple-tax collectors came;
They asked Peter, ‘Doesn’t your teacher
Regularly pay temple tax?
They answered, ‘Yes! ’ and entered house;
Then Jesus asked Simon Peter,
‘What is your opinion, tell me? ’
From whom do kings collect toll-tax?
Is it from subjects or aliens? ’
When they replied, ‘From foreigners, ’
Jesus said, ‘Subjects are exempt.’
‘That we may not offend tax-men,
Then Jesus told to go to sea,
And catch the first fish that comes up,
Open its mouth, you’ll find coin,
Worth twice the temple-tax; Pay them
For me and also for you then! ’
poem by John Celes
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It Is Finished
“It is finished” as Christ was done, were the words of God’s Own Son.
It was finished and some knew that Christ had died for me and you.
He was born the man Jesus Christ, for He was to be God’s Sacrifice.
Jesus was the name given Him as He’d save His people from their sin.
Christ was the name of God’s Son, as He was The Lord’s Anointed One.
Thinking they were done with Him, the people only added to their sin.
But Christ would not be denied, even though they pierced His side.
They had Him then sealed in a tomb, which only added to their doom.
In the ground as the scripture said, for three days amongst the dead.
But The Lord God was not done, for the grave could not hold His Son.
On the third day to much surprise, The Lord from the tomb would rise.
The stone of the tomb was rolled away, for He was not there to stay.
For the temple that He did raise, was His body to The Father’s praise.
And Jesus did just what He said, as He raised his body from the dead.
He was dead, but is now alive, and He is seated at His Father’s side.
This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that for us He became a sacrifice.
On the cross He bore the sins of all to redeem man from Adam’s fall.
Christ tasted death for you and me, so we could live through eternity.
Believe that for you Christ died and you my friend will be justified.
And confess your Lord is Jesus Christ and you will have Eternal Life.
(Copyright ©10/2004)
Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. Mark (Chapter 10)
Across the Jordan, Jesus made His way
Into the place called Judea wherein,
Crowds gathered and by custom, He taught them.
The Pharisees awaited to test him
And asked, “By law, can husband divorce wife? ”
But Jesus asked, “What Moses did command? ”
They said, “To dismiss her by divorce-bill.”
Then Jesus said, “Because of your hard hearts,
Did Moses write you such a commandment? ”
God made them male, female at creation;
A man shall leave his parents, join his wife;
No longer are they two but single flesh;
What God has joined, no one can separate.
His disciples then questioned once again.
He said, “He who divorces wife, commits
Adultery by marrying another.
By divorcing husband, the wife commits
Adultery by marrying another.
And people brought children to Him to bless.
His disciples rebuked them by habit.
So, Jesus said, “Let children come to me.
Prevent them not for, Heaven will be theirs.
Unless child-like, you cannot enter it.
He embraced them and blessed each one of them.
As He was setting out on a journey,
A man came running, knelt to him and asked,
“Good Teacher, tell me what I ought to do
On earth, to inherit eternal life? ”
And Jesus answered, “Why address me ‘good’?
No one is good except Almighty God!
You know the commandments, you ought to keep?
He said, “I’ve observed them all since my youth.”
Then Jesus said, “You lack in just one thing.
Go sell all that you have and give the poor.
You’ll have treasure in Heav’n; then, follow me.”
At this, the man turned sad and went away,
As he possessed a lot of wealth with him!
So, Jesus turned to disciples and said,
“’Tis hard for wealthy ones to reach heaven! ”
A camel passes through a needle’s eye
With ease but not one rich can, heaven’s gates!
His disciples asked, “Then who can be saved? ”
“For human beings, ’tis impossible.
All things are possible for God, ” He said.
Then Peter told, “We gave up everything.”
Jesus replied, “One who gives up all things
For sake of Gospel’s and for me receives
A hundred times more in this present age,
And persecutions and eternal life!
Many first shall become last, the last, first!
Then Jesus started to Jerusalem;
He went ahead of them; they were amazed;
And those who followed seemed to be afraid;
To twelve disciples, Jesus spoke again,
“Behold, we go to Jerusalem town;
They’ll hand over the Son of Man
To scribes, chief priests who’ll condemn Him to death;
And hand Him over to Gentiles:
They’ll mock at Him; and spit on Him; scourge Him;
Put Him to death; after three days, He’ll rise!
Then James and John came up to Him and asked,
“Will You do teacher, what we ask of You? ”
So, Jesus asked, “What do you want from me? ”
They said, “Grant that in glory, we may sit with You,
One at your right, the other at your left.”
But Jesus told, “You know not what you ask;
Can you drink from the cup that I drink from,
Or be baptized the way I am baptized?
They answered Jesus, “yes, we can.”
Said Jesus, “Yes, the cup I drink, you’ll drink;
The baptism I get, you will also.
But to sit at my right or left isn’t mine
To give, but is for those for whom it’s been prepared.”
The other ten got angry at the two.
Then Jesus called and said to them, “You know
Those rulers over Gentiles recognized,
Lord it ov’r them and make their power felt.
However, it shall not be so ’mongst you.
Whoev’r wants greatness will be your servant;
Whoev’r then wants to be first will be slave of all;
The Son of Man did not come to be served;
He came to serve and give His life for all.
While leaving Jericho, a blind beggar
By road-side, Bartimaeus, then cried out,
“O Jesus, Son of David, pity me.”
Rebuking, many tried to silence him.
He kept on calling loudly all the more:
“O Son of David, have pity on me.”
So, Jesus stopped and told that he be brought.
They told the man, “Get up, He’s calling you.”
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up and came.
When Jesus asked, “what do you want of me? ”
The blind man told, “O Master, I want sight! ”
So Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you, Go! ”
Immediately, he saw and followed Him.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-19-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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On the road to Emmaus
While we were walking
the seven miles to our house
that was in Emmaus
Cleopas and I were talking
about Jesus of Nazareth being crucified
about the life that he lead
and the cruel way in which he died
and this honest powerful man was now dead
thunder flashed down from the heaven,
the sun fled away
as if it wasn’t day
and although the miles were only seven
our depressed walk felt like an eternity
and the things that happened in Jerusalem was frightening
laying like a very heavy burden on Cleopas and me
and then suddenly very exciting
another man was walking with us,
at first we did notice or even recognize him
and we told him, as we were so serious
why our lives seemed so dim
we told him how the women amazed us with the news
that the tomb was empty
and on this issue we both had our views
but some of our companions went to see
and the body of Christ was gone
they could not find him anywhere
and it felt as if we were totally alone
as his body was no longer there
but the man told us from the scriptures
about the mission of God the Son,
and we knew the things he had done
and even from his well known gestures
we did not recognize that Jesus himself had walked
and had talked
on the road to Emmaus with us
we only comprehended it later at the falling dusk.
[Reference: The Waste Land: V. “What the thunder said” by T. S. Eliot.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Mary Mary Magdalene
Mary Mary Magdalene,
what do all those stories mean?
Mary, Mary, is it true,
Jesus had a thing for you?
Mary, Mary – He lay with you?
Mary, Mary, tell me true
Mary, Mary, red hair wild,
did He leave you great with child?
Mary, was your love so steady,
that you had had His kids already?
Mary, Mary, at the Cross,
did it feel a gain or loss?
Mary, Mary – on that third day,
what was it like with the stone rolled away?
Mary, Mary, running there with love,
what did you think when He rose above?
Mary, Mary – what was it like, after?
Were there tears or joyful laughter?
Mary, Mary – the kids you had –
did they turn out like their Dad?
Mary, Mary, whore redeemed,
did it work out like you dreamed?
Mary, Mary – your afterlife –
was it mostly love, or mostly strife?
Mary, Mary, were you worshipped or despised
As Mary’s daughter-in-law, Mrs. Christ?
Mary, Mary, did you stay,
or feel you had to take the kids away?
Mary, Mary, with so much love,
did you, too, rise to heaven above?
Mary, Mary, in the sky,
all we ask are the reasons why…
Mary, Mary Magdalene,
What is really true? What does it really mean?
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. Matthew (Chapter 27)
By morning, elders and chief priests
Decided to put Him to death;
They led Him bound and handed Him
Over to Governor Pilate.
On seeing Jesus condemned thus,
Judas regretted deeply for
What he did to Jesus then.
He gave the silver pieces back
To chief priests and elders and said:
‘I have betrayed innocent blood! ’
But they said, ‘What is that to us? ’
He flung the money in temple
And went and hanged himself, that day;
The chief priests gathered the money,
For it was unlawful to place
The ‘price of blood’ inside temple.
They bought the potter’s field with it,
As burial place for foreigners;
That field is still called ’Field of Blood.’
Thus came to be fulfilled prophet
Jeremiah’s prophetic words!
The governor queried Jesus:
‘Are you the king of Jews, tell me? ’
And Jesus answered, ‘You say so.’
And when accused by the chief priests
And elders, He made no answer;
Then Pilate said, ‘Do you not hear
The things they utter against you? ’
But He didn’t answer him a word;
The governor was so perplexed.
Now on the occasion of Feast,
The governor would release one
Prisoner, whom people had wished.
A notorious prisoner then,
Called Barabbas was ushered in;
Then Pilate asked of them, ‘Which one
Do you want me to release now-
Barabbas or the Messiah? ’
For, he knew that out of envy,
They had handed Jesus to him.
While being seated on his bench,
His wife sent him a caution note:
Do not trouble the righteous man,
I suffered in a dream of Him.’
Howev’r, the chief priests and elders
Had persuaded the crowds to ask
The release of just Barabbas.
So when the governor asked them,
They cried, ‘Release just Barabbas! ’
‘What shall I do with Jesus then? ’
When Pilate asked, they cried aloud,
‘Let Him be crucified to death! ’
‘What evil has He done? ’ he asked.
They shouted loud, ‘Crucify Him! ’
As Pilate knew, he wouldn’t succeed,
And riot could break amidst crowd,
He washed his hands with water and
Said, ‘I’m innocent of this blood! ’
The people then cried in reply,
‘Let His blood be upon us then,
And upon our very children! ’
Then Pilate released Barabbas.
And Jesus was afterwards scourged
And handed to be crucified.
The governor’s soldiers took Him
Inside the praetorium wherein,
The whole cohort had gathered there.
And having stripped His clothes off Him,
They threw a scarlet cloak instead.
They wove a crown of thorns for head,
And in His right hand, placed a reed, .
And kneeling before Him, they mocked:
‘Hail, the King of Jews of the world! ’
They spat upon His divine face,
And used the reed to strike His head;
They took away the cloak on Him,
And dressed Him in His own old clothes,
Then led Him to be crucified.
They asked a Cyrenian named
Simon, to help Him carry cross.
And when they came to Golgotha,
A place, meaning place of the skull,
They gave Him gall-mixed wine to drink.
And after crucifying Him,
They divided His clothes through lots;
They sat and kept watch over Him;
They wrote above His head the charge:
‘This is Jesus, the King of Jews! ’
Two persons too were crucified,
One on His right, other on left;
Some passing by, reviled at Him
And said, ‘You told you would destroy
The temple, rebuild in three days,
If you’re Son of God, save yourself,
And come down from the cross at once! ’
Like-wise the scribes, chief priests, elders,
All mocked at Him and remarked thus:
‘He saves others but couldn’t Himself!
If He be king of Israel then,
Let Him un-nail Himself from cross,
And we shall then believe in Him! ’
‘He put His trust in God wholesome;
Let God deliver Him right now
For, He said, ‘I’m the Son of God! ’
The persons crucified with Him,
Abused Him also in same way.
From noon onwards, there came darkness
Over the land, till three o’clock!
At three o’clock, then Jesus cried
Out in loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli,
Lema sabachthani? ’ which means
My God, my God, why forsake me?
Some by-standers who heard this said,
‘The man is calling Elijah! ’
So, one of them brought out a sponge,
And soaked in wine, upon a reed,
And held it to His lips to drink.
The rest said, ‘Wait, let us now see
If Elijah comes to save Him! ’
Then Jesus cried again aloud,
And gave His spirit up to God.
Behold, the sanctuary’s veil tore
In two from top to bottom then;
The earth too quaked as rocks got split!
Opened were many tombs of saints
Who had been dead but raised again,
And appeared to men in city!
The centurion and men on guard,
Got frightened by the quake that came,
And said, ’Truly, this was God’s Son! ’
There were some women standing there;
From Galilee, they followed Him;
They were Mary Magdalene and
Mary, mother of James, Joseph;
And mother of Zebedee’s sons.
When evening fell, a rich man came
From Arimathea called Joseph,
Disciple of Jesus, as well;
He requested Pilate to hand
Over the body of Jesus,
And Pilate ordered to take it.
Then Joseph wrapped the whole body
In white linen, from head to foot,
And laid it in a tomb anew,
That had been hewn from solid rock.
They rolled a stone that was so huge
Across the entrance of the tomb,
And went away as both Marys
Were sitting there, facing the tomb!
The chief priests and the Pharisees
Gathered before Pilate, next day
And said, ’Sir, while alive, He said
Three days after, He’ll be raised up!
So, give orders to close the grave,
Lest disciples steal Him away
And tell the people, ‘He’s risen! ’
So, Pilate said. ‘The guard is yours;
Secure it as best as you can.’
They went and rolled a stone across
The entrance of the tomb and sealed
And placed their guards to protect it!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 6-15-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. John (Chapter 2)
There was a wedding in Cana,
And Jesus’ mother had gone there;
Invited was Jesus also;
His disciples attended too.
When wine ran short, His mother told,
Jesus, “They have no wine to serve.”
But Jesus asked. back, ‘Why tell me? ’
“How does that concern me? ” He asked.
“My hour has not yet come.” He said.
His mother told the servers all,
“Do whatev’r He tells you to do.”
There were six water-jars of stone,
Meant for Jewish ceremonies.
Each could hold some thirty gallons.
When Jesus told, ‘Fill up the jars
With water up to brim, ’ they did.
Then Jesus told them, ‘Draw out some
And take it to the head-waiter.’
The Head-waiter tasted new wine.
He knew not wherefrom this wine came.
He called the bridegroom and told him,
“All serve the good wine initially.
When people have drunk one less good,
You’ve kept the good wine until now? ”
This was his first miracle done
In Cana town, in Galilee.
His disciples believed in Him.
Thus was revealed His glory first!
All went to Capernaum later.
They stayed there only for few days.
Then Jesus reached Jerusalem,
As Passover was nearing fast.
And in the temple area then,
He saw some selling animals;
Some money-changers were there too.
He made a whip out of some cords,
And drove them out of temple fast.
He spilled the money of changers,
And over-turned their tables too.
He told the dove-sellers to leave.
He warned them not to make the house
Of His Father, a market-place!
His disciples recalled scripture,
‘Zeal for your house will consume me! ’
The Jews then asked Jesus to show
The sign for doing thus, that day.
And Jesus answered them and said,
‘Destroy this temple; in three days,
I’ll raise it up! ’ He firmly said.
‘The Temple took forty-six years
For construction, ’ the Jews all said.
‘You’ll raise it in just three days time? ’
But He meant His body’s temple.
When Jesus was raised from the dead,
His disciples remembered this.
They came to believe the scripture
And what was foretold by Jesus.
While Jesus in Jerusalem
And Feast of the Passover came,
So many believed in His name,
When they had seen the signs He did.
But Jesus didn’t trust anyone.
He knew the people all around.
He did not need one to tell Him.
He understood human nature!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-21-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Close To Jesus
Close to Jesus, so few have been, yet with their stories told,
Through these we see the Nazarene, the Saviour to behold...
From birth to death and far beyond, God's Son has proved His worth
And thus, to Him, we each respond, while we live on this Earth...
Of those we know, some prophets shared what they perceived of Christ,
At whom the disbelievers stared the day He was baptised...
Yet John the Baptist spoke the truth, 'Behold the Lamb of God! '
Though just to them, He seemed a youth, for these, He shed His Blood!
To think, He healed the sick He met and those then brought to Him,
Forgiving sins that caused regret, for guilt can make us grim...
The multitudes were like lost sheep, each one had lost his way,
When God's commands they wouldn't keep, He taught them how to pray.
But while His fame was widely known, disciples came and went,
Until Saint Peter stood alone and called Him Heaven-sent...
'You are the Christ, God's promised Son! No other can we seek!
You speak the words, then deeds are done that make You quite unique! '
Though Peter knew the truth full well, the Saviour he denied!
Three times he lied and wouldn't tell, with Christ soon crucified...
Through John and Mary's eyes we see the Saviour lifted high,
The Lamb of God met Calvary... His destiny... to die...
It didn't end with mortal death, as one would first assume
Behold Jesus of Nazareth, not bound by any tomb!
God raised Him up from Death's embrace, from Hell to Heaven's Throne!
Through Him, receive God's perfect grace... Believe in Christ alone.
His Blood can cleanse and make us whole, for He makes all things new!
Let Jesus in to save your soul... Let Him come close to you...
Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2011.
The poem is based on the Gospel teachings
in the Close To Jesus DVD dramatisations
the Amazon shopping website found for me.
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I Am Ascending To My Father
I have fallen upon my knees heavily; God cast
me down, before entering this holy sacred spot;
the Garden of Gethsemane, in the Kidron valley;
among those ancient olive trees I pondered
upon my pilgrimage way, their twisted arms their
gnarled trunks, witnessed Jesus pass this way;
blood my Lord sweated here in fear in agony
his prayers to heaven, to his father were carried;
but the bitter cup he bore, could be not removed.
I have walked upon the sacred Via Dolorosa
where Christ carried our bloody cross, chastised
first, by his whipped tortured stripes, we are healed. 1 Peter 2: 24.
I have walked upon the Hill of Calvary Golgotha
where the New Testament describes Jesus, crucified
entered, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, venerated.
Here once many women viewed the crucifixion
from a distance, here by the Cross, three Marys’ stood
Christ’s mother, her sister Mary and Mary Magdalene. John 19: 25.
Here the sepulchre the Church of the Resurrection
acclaimed to be the site, of the resurrection, of Jesus
here while weeping, Mary Magdalene, stooped forward
looked into the memorial tomb and she viewed
two angels in white sitting one at the head
and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had
been lying. And the angels said to her: “Woman,
why are you weeping? ” She said to the angels:
“They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know
where they have taken him.” After saying these things,
she turned and viewed Jesus standing, ....
Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me. For I have not yet
ascended to the Father. But be on your way to my brothers
and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and YOUR
Father and to my God and Your God.’ ” Christ had risen. John 20: 11-18.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Sign of Jonah
In the tomb for three days, but, He’d rise to the Father’s praise,
For three days and three nights, in that dark tomb, out of sight,
The Son of God, sent to save, now lay dead down in the grave,
For indeed, Christ was dead, the hope of many turned to dread.
It was Jonah Christ pointed to, regarding all that God would do,
In the belly of a fish for a time, three days and nights for a sign,
After taken off that wicked tree, in the earth’s belly He would be,
Christ’s body in a tomb would lay, but, as He said, it didn’t stay.
Disciples scattered by the cross, now discouraged and felt lost,
It was truly a dark time for those, before The Lord had truly rose,
From the cross to that tomb, His followers now filled with doom,
What occurred caused much grief, filling all hearts with disbelief.
Their disbelief would take a turn, as all failing hearts would learn,
That Christ did just what He said, and Jesus was no longer dead,
Alive and here just like before, was Jesus Christ, The Risen Lord,
Back again, their Lord and friend, for that grave was not His end.
Just as the fish spit Jonah out; The Lord would have a turnabout,
Now risen by His own decree, was Christ, the Savior of humanity,
Now restored to God’s right hand, Lord and Savior of every land,
God’s Proven Hope to all nations, of His One and Only Salvation.
(Copyright ©04/2009)
O Jesus
O Jesus, peace be upon him, the one who was the Word of God…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, who came and was always in the Thoughts of God…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, he who was born of the Virgin Mary…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, and peace be upon his mother Mary…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, the one who the Holy Spirit of God was given…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, the one who in the name of God, casted out demons…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, the one they said slanderous things about…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, the one they tried to blot out…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, who came and was sinless…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, who came to the temple and became relentless…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, who came to the Israelites to teach them the Gospel…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, who came and did things that were impossible…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, he who is the Prophet and Christ…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, he who the Scriptures prophesised…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, he who Almighty God raised up…
O Jesus, peace be upon him, he who Almighty God will send back and amaze us.
poem by Russel Choudhury
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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What Would Jesus Do?
The risen Lord ascended high, to leave this world behind,
Disciples saw Him in the sky, that memory in each mind...
He told them wait till power came and they were blessed in time,
To preach of Jesus, without shame, with miracles sublime...
As Jesus did, they preached the Word, as Jesus healed, they cared,
They honoured Him as their shepherd and with His sheep they shared.
A holy Church on Earth began, forgiveness through God's grace,
As Jews then Gentiles saw God's Plan, save sinners from each race...
Like crystals growing magically, the faith spread cross the globe,
Pilgrims praying so joyfully, now filled with Christian hope...
As Jesus did, they sought the Lord, the Father, for advice,
Not tempted by some new reward or thoughts of Paradise...
The deepest faith is borne of trials, not easy days and nights,
Not times of pleasant upturned smiles, but soaring to the heights...
Like Jesus did, disciples learn, obedience is the key,
It's like respect that each must earn, as Jesus sets us free...
Consider lilies in the field, without our cares and woes,
Yet there's a harvest we must yield, as each heart overflows...
It's love that makes the world go round, not greed or fear or hate,
God says these chains must be unbound so life can then be great...
Like Jesus did, when Death was chained as Christ rose from the dead,
While tomb and shroud and rock remained and Christ went on ahead...
The risen Lord transforms each mind, saved Gentile and saved Jew.
God's great advice to all Mankind... Ask... What would Jesus do?
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. Matthew (Chapter 8)
When Jesus came down from the mountain-side,
A great crowd followed Him, leper beside;
The leper paid Him homage and begged, ‘Lord,
‘If you so wish, you can make me too, clean! ’
So, Jesus stretched His hand out and touched him
And replied, ‘I’ll do it. You be made clean.’
His leprosy had vanished immediately.
Then Jesus told him, ‘See that you tell none.
Go show the priest that you are fully cleansed.
As proof, you offer Moses’ prescribed gift.’
When Jesus entered Capernaum, there came
A centurion who approached Him and said,
‘My servant lies at home Lord, paralyzed,
For days, he’s suffering most dreadfully.’
Then Jesus told him, ‘I’ll come home and cure.’
The centurion replied, ‘O Lord, I am
Not worthy to have you under my roof,
Just say the word, my servant will be healed.’
‘For, I’m a person with authority,
With soldiers many under my command;
I say to one, ‘Go, ’ and he goes at once;
I order another, ‘Come here, he comes;
And to my slave, I say, ‘Do this, he does.’
When Jesus heard this, He was so amazed.
He said to those who followed Him, ‘Amen,
I say to you, in Israel, none I’ve seen,
With faith so strong as this centurion’s.’
‘Many will come from east and west, I say
To sit with Abraham, Jacob, Isaac,
At the banquet in kingdom of heaven,
But the kingdom’s children will be driven,
Out in the darkness where there will be much
Wailing and grinding and gnashing of teeth.’
Then Jesus told centurion, ‘You may go,
Let it be done for you as you’ve believed.’
That very hour, his servant got well healed.
Then Jesus went to Peter’s house and saw
His mother-in-law in bed with fever;
He touched her hand and fever left at once;
She rose and waited upon Him that day!
By evening time, they brought to Him many
Who were by demons, spirits too possessed;
He drove the spirits out by simple words,
And cured the sick and suffering who came.
Thus, Isaiah, the prophet’s words came true:
‘He took our infirmities, diseases.’
When Jesus saw a crowd large, surround Him,
He gave orders to cross to other side.
A scribe approached and said to Him, ‘Teacher,
I’ll follow you wherever, you may go.’
And Jesus answered him, ‘Foxes have holes;
Birds of the sky have nests but Son of Man,
Has not a place on earth, to rest His head.’
One of his disciples said, ‘Lord, let me
Go first bury my father who is dead.’
But Jesus ordered him, ‘Just follow me.
Let dead bury their own dead by themselves.’
Then Jesus and disciples went by boat.
A violent storm then brewed upon the sea;
The boat was hit by waves, He lay asleep;
They came and woke Him saying, ‘Lord, save us!
For, we’re perishing in the stormy sea.’
He asked them, ‘Why are you so terrified?
You ones of little faith! He then got up.
He chided winds and sea and there was calm.
The surprised men then asked, ‘What sort of man
Is this whom winds and seas also obey? ’
They came to other side called Gadarenes;
Two savage demoniacs from tombs met Him.
No one could dare to travel by that road.
On seeing Jesus, they cried, ‘Son of God,
Why have you come into our habitat?
Do you then come to torment us early? ’
A herd of swine was feeding near-by there.
The demons pleaded, ’If you drive us out,
Then, permit us to enter the swine herd.’
Then Jesus said, ‘Go then, and they came out!
The demons went into the swine near-by;
The whole herd rushed down-slope, the steep bank-side
And fell into the sea and were all drowned.’
The swine-herds ran away to town and told
All that had happened to demoniacs.
The townspeople then came to meet Jesus.
They begged Him leave their place immediately!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-30-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. John (Chapter 12)
Six days before the Passover,
Jesus had come to Bethany;
With Lazarus raised from the dead,
They had a dinner over there.
Then Martha served the food for all,
While Lazarus had reclined there,
And Mary took some perfumed oil,
Anointing Jesus’ feet with love
And dried them with her silken hair,
As house got filled by oil fragrance!
Then Judas Iscariot remarked,
‘Three hundred days’ wages worth oil!
Why should it not be giv’n to poor? ’
(Not that he cared for poor) , he said.
So, Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone;
Let this be for my burial;
You always have the poor with you;
But I’ll not be with you always.’
A crowd of Jews came to see both,
Jesus and also Lazarus,
Whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
The Chief priests planned to kill the two
As people more, believed in Him.
The next day, when the crowd had heard
That Jesus would come for the Feast,
They took palm branches to meet him
And cried aloud, ‘Hosanna, King!
Blest’s He, who comes in the Lord’s name.’
Then Jesus sat upon an ass!
For, it was already written:
‘O daughter Zion, fear no more!
Your king comes seated on an ass! ’
His disciples didn’t understand;
Later, when He was glorified,
They remembered these things of Him,
That happened as written earlier.
The crowd that testified, remained;
They followed Him wherev’r He went;
The Pharisees felt jealous then,
‘We seem to be gaining nothing;
The whole world has gone after Him! ’
Some Greeks had come to worship too.
They came to Philip and asked, ‘Sir,
We wish to see the man, Jesus! ’
Philip and Andrew told Jesus.
Then Jesus told, ‘The hour has come
For Son of Man be glorified.
‘Amen, amen, I say to you,
Unless the wheat grain dies in soil,
It just remains a grain of wheat;
But when it dies, it gives much fruit! ’
‘Whoever loves life, loses it;
Whoever hates it, preserves it
For eternal life, after death.’
‘Whoever serves me, follows me,
Where I’m, my servant too is there;
Father honors, he who serves me.
I’m troubled now. What can I say?
O Father, save me from this hour.
But, for this purpose, I had come! ’
My father, glorify your name.’
A voice from heaven was heard then:
‘I’ve glorified and will again.’
The crowd then thought it was thunder.
But others said, ‘An angel spoke! ’
Then Jesus said, ‘This voice didn’t come
For my sake but, for your sake just.’
Now is the judgment-time on earth;
The world’s ruler is driven out.’
‘And when I’m lifted off the earth,
I’ll draw all people to myself.’
He indicated he would die!
The crowd then asked, ‘We’ve heard the law
That Messiah remains forev’r;
Why should they lift the Son of Man?
Who is this Son of Man truly? ’
Then Jesus said, ‘The light will stay
With you, perhaps, a little while;
Walk while you have the light with you,
So that, the darkness doesn’t overcome.’
‘Whoev’r in darkness walks, knows not
To where he is truly heading.
Believe the Light while it is there,
So that, you are children of light.’
Then Jesus left and hid himself!
Though Jesus performed many signs,
They didn’t believe in him at all.
Isaiah’s word was fulfilled thus:
‘Who has believed our teaching, Lord?
To who was Lord’s might revealed then? ’
He blinded eyes and hearts of theirs,
So that, they may not see by eyes,
Nor understand with help of hearts,
And be converted, to be healed.’
Isaiah saw his glory then.
Many believed in him despite,
The Pharisees order threat’ning
To expel from the synagogue.
They wanted human praise only.
So, Jesus told, ‘Whoev’r believes
In me, believes Him who sent me.
Whoev’r sees me, sees Him as well.
I came into this world as light,
So that, they stay not in darkness.’
‘If hears my words one and heeds not,
I wouldn’t condemn him anytime,
For, I had come to save the world.
Whoev’r rejects my words and me,
Will be condemned on the last day:
‘Because I did not speak on own;
I tell what Father goads me speak.
His Commandment’s eternal life.
So, what I say, I say as told.’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-24-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bible in Poetry: Gospel of St. John (Chapter 9)
Jesus saw a man, blind since birth;
His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi,
By whose sins was the man born blind-
His own sins or that of parents’? ’
So, Jesus answered them, ‘Neither.
It is so that the works of God
Be manifested through the man.
The day is meant for all to work;
The night is for slumber and rest.’
‘While in this world, I am the light.’
Then Jesus spat on ground near-by
And mixed the clay with saliva;
He smeared the clay over man’s eyes
And said, ’ Go wash in Siloam Pool! ’
The man did so and got vision.
The beggar was able to see!
The neighbors saw and then remarked,
‘Isn’t this the beggar who was blind? ’
The beggar replied, ‘Yes, I am! ’
They asked, ‘How were your eyes opened? ’
The man described the whole story.
They asked him, ‘Where is Jesus now?
The beggar said, ‘I do not know.’
They brought the man to Pharisees;
Now Jesus did the miracle,
On Sabbath day and all knew that.
The Pharisees queried the man;
They said, ‘This man is not from God!
He does not keep the Sabbath-day.
How can a sinful man do signs?
They asked the beggar’s opinion;
He told them, ‘He is a prophet! ’
The Jews summoned his parents then
And enquired about their son;
His parents said, ‘He was born blind.’
But they didn’t know how he saw then.
They neither knew the healer’s name;
They told them to ask the beggar.
His parents were afraid of Jews;
If anyone believed Jesus,
And acknowledged Him, Messiah,
They were expelled from synagogue.
They called the beggar once again,
And asked him to give praise to God,
For, Jesus was a sinner great!
The man replied, ‘I do not know
If Jesus is a sinner great;
One thing was true that I was blind
And Jesus helped to make me see, ’
They asked him for more details then;
The beggar lost his cool and said,
‘Do you wish to be disciples? ’
They ridiculed the beggar-man
And said, ‘We are Moses’ disciples!
We don’t know where Jesus is from? ’
The man answered them quite bravely,
‘Isn’t it amazing that although,
You do not know who Jesus is,
Yet, He had made me to see then? ’
‘God does not listen to sinners;
If one’s devout, God listens then.
So far no one had given sight
To man who was blind, since his birth.’
‘If Jesus did not come from God,
He wouldn’t do miracles like this.’
They told the man, ‘You’re born in sin;
So, do not try to preach to us.
They drove the beggar-man away!
Then Jesus heard of incident;
He found the beggar-man and asked,
‘Do you believe in Son of Man? ’
He queried, ‘Who is he, tell me
So that, I may believe in Him.’
Then Jesus said, ‘You have seen Him;
The one speaking to you is He! ’
The man believed and worshipped Him.
Then Jesus said, ‘I came in here,
Into this world for judgment just,
And make ones who couldn’t see, to see,
And those who see become so blind.’
Some Pharisees who heard him said,
‘Surely we’re blind, are we not then? ’
Jesus told them, ‘If you were blind,
You wouldn’t have sins, but as you see,
Your sin remains and you are blind! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-23-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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