Fine Print

The calloused, rough-hewn workers heaved
And threw another rough-hewn cross
Upon the growing pile of wood
Flecked with human dross

The timbers all had served their turn
And splintered over time
As one by one they’d pinioned those
Paying for their crime

And when they could no longer hold
A nail to pin the gruesome load
That pillar of the damned, the spurned
Was piled up with the rest and burned

They tossed the last one on the pile
Paused… shuddered at the Reaper’s Tally
Then fired the wooden bones just like
Those bones in Hinnom’s Valley

A worker standing near for warmth
Eyes gazing at the glowing pyre
Caught something strange upon the wood
In the growing flickering fire

Moving close, he grabbed the end
Of one old, rugged stake
Pulled it out, saw the words
And then began to shake…

          …Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews

“Pilate made a sign and put it on the cross.                                                                       It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

— John 19:19

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REFLECTIONS

This is a fictitious piece, attempting to imagine the reaction of one who might have been a believer, or at least a curious one, who came across the sign Pilate had nailed to the cross of Jesus. Especially in view of what so many were saying about Him and the resurrection.

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K I N G D O M

The blind, the leprous, and the lame
Sought the Gracious One who came
Stretched forth a hand in dire need
And from redemptive curse were freed
In the Father’s name!

Death and demons—all the same
To the Blessed One who came
And made acquaintance with our grief
Stretched forth a hand and brought relief
In the Father’s name!

And now it falls to followers who
Through faith reborn—created new
To show the world a “kingdom come”
A Father’s will that’s “being done”
“on earth as it is in heaven”

And so we stoop to Christ-like serve
Even those who don’t deserve!
For we ourselves were scattered sheep
Over whom our Lord would weep
In the Father’s name!

If we, like Him, who bore our sorrow
Bring help and hope and new tomorrow
Help them touch the Garment Hem
Why, the Kingdom’s surely come to them
In Jesus’ lovely name!

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Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

–Matthew 6:9-10

“Heal the sick… and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near
to you.’”
–Luke 10:9
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G I F T

a poet’s penitential prayer

Father…

You have blessed and gifted me
To glorify and honor thee
But… the gift unwrapped or little used
Little thought about or mused
Turns to dust before it’s time

Father…

Talents that you (loving!) gave
To serve your kingdom and to save
Can oft lie buried and confined
Within the carnal, careless mind
And serve no one

Father…

You have blessed and gifted all
With giftedness both large and small
Would you our petition hear?
And grant us, Father, minds sincere
Take captive every thought?

Father…

Before you come with trumpet call
Grant repentance to us all
Please hear our humble, earnest plea
And help us use our gifts for thee
And for others in need of you

…in Jesus’ name.

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“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons… But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”

–1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11
–Matthew 25:14-30
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