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The Christian Poetry contest entry. Prompt: a character from Gospel of Matthew 27:50-53 |
Astonished, I stood and stared at my hand Slowly make a fist. Is this Abraham’s bosom Or another place for the dead? A strange land, Where my body, restored, is still in a tomb. Outside lights filters in. The cavern is unsealed With the stone disc gone, I sense the moving air Outside. But stumbling to the entry revealed My city, Jerusalem. A jewel beyond compare Amongst the vast world. I laugh, weep, Shout, and dance. Now fully restored, I sing. He drew me back from the final sleep To live again. A miracle from my Lord. I raced for the temple through the crowds, Never slowing, with no doubt nor hesitation. Never noticing the black and angry clouds; My heart knew only joy and jubilation. I arrived to tumult and confusion. The sanctuary curtain, whole that morning Suddenly tore top to bottom. Only one conclusion- God’s chastisement- meant He was turning Away from his priests. No more curtain meant El’s departure from His temple, forever gone. That upon this feast day, the priests spent Grieving for the absence of The One. I trembled. A day replete with wonders Unheard of meant the hand of the Lord. I am restored, but witness to the blunders, Of my people’s failure. I deplored Their lack of faith. I sought to bring them back. I was a priest before and I recalled Before the priesthood, lived Melchizedek. When Abraham still lived in this world. Why would our God leave us? I asked But spare Melchizedek, a priest alone. A whisper said “Melchizedek’s task Was previewing the Anointed One.” “ Messiah?” I stumbled, uncertain. “He comes to stop cruel Rome, and set us free.” “That is not the lesson from the curtain.” He came already; the priests refused to see”. “But how could any priest miss the Messiah?” “Because they trusted the ideas of men. They ignored the teachings from Isaiah To decide that they knew best-again.” “How may I find Him, Lord? Where is His temple?” “There is no temple now, only a grave. Many say He’s dead, a broken symbol; I tell you now, believe that He shall save.” “Remain here in the city. Watch and wait. Then pray That you may witness what remains unseen. Remember all you underwent today, To discover what Passover really means.” To see the impossible made real. I exited the tomb |