"Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
Had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today."
My new friend Pat Finch, whom I met in the post office this past week, sent this to me. She was supposed to come for Easter dinner today, along with some of our other friends, but we had to cancel because three of us came down with the tummy flu last night.
Anyway, what she sent me reminds me of a poem I wrote at Christmastime many years ago, but that is just as relevant at Easter.
The Paradox
by Virginia Knowles
Come, see where He lays,
Good Shepherd and Little Lamb
King of Kings and Servant of All
Prophet and Prophecy Fulfilled
Physician and Wounded One
High Priest and Atoning Sacrifice
Counselor and Rejected One
Builder and Foundation Stone
Righteous Judge and Condemned Prisoner
Ancient of Days and Newly-born Babe
God and Man
Jesus is a paradox, a seeming contradiction in terms. Who is he? What is his nature? And why did he come? If you have ever wondered how to understand or explain the mystery of Jesus, I invite you to look up the following passages, which correspond line by line to the facets expressed in the "The Paradox."
◦ John 10: 11 / John 1:29
◦ Revelation 19:16 / Mark 10:43-45, Philippians 2:7
◦ Luke 7:16 / Matthew 1:22, Luke 4:16-21 (Isaiah 61:1-3)
◦ Matthew 15:29-31 / Isaiah 53:4-6
◦ Hebrews 7:23-28 / Hebrews 9:11-14, 10:19-22
◦ Isaiah 9:6 / Isaiah 53:3, John 10:22-33
◦ Hebrews 3:3, Matthew 16:18 / 1 Peter 2:4-9
◦ John 8:1-11, Acts 10:42-43, Acts 17:30-31 / Mark 14:60-65
◦ Daniel 7:13-14 / Luke 2:8-20
◦ John 1:1-5, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:19-20 / 1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 1:1-4
While I'm thinking of Easter poetry, I'll just tuck in two more that I wrote in my younger years (hence the maiden name).
Creator on the Cross
by Virginia Quarrier, 1984
Oh, the love of the Holy God
For man whose life was lost
No greater love there is than this
My Creator on the cross.
He made me, yet he died for me
He paid the greatest cost,
The blood of Jesus Christ the Son,
My Creator on the cross.
Grace abounding and mercy free
Set fire to my frost
My blackest sin washed white by him
My Creator on the cross.
How Will They Know?
by Virginia Quarrier, 1980
When I was young, I went to Sunday school.
I learned “Do Unto Others”, that Golden Rule
I learned that Jesus loved children and fed the sheep,
But I never did give him my soul to keep.
How will they know unless we tell them?
How will they know unless we show them from his word?
I don’t like to think of where I would be right now,
If I had never, never heard.
Heaven was just like Santa Claus,
You’ve got to be good to get your reward,
You have to do right or you won’t get in.
No one told me that God forgives sin.
I guess I knew that Jesus died,
The pictures on the wall showed him crucified
But no one told me what he died for
I really wish they had told me more.
Easter was just a new spring dress,
Dolling up in our Sunday best,
Bunnies and chickies, and “Watch how you behave!”
No one told me Jesus rose from the grave.
No one told me that he was coming again
To take his loved ones back with him.
I thought when he left he was gone for good,
I only wish I had understood.
No one told me to ask him in
To enter my heart and take out the sin
To take my life as Savior and Lord
And that he was knocking on my heart’s door.
Somebody finally told me all the things I’m telling you.
Somebody finally told me all the Gospel truth.
I finally told Jesus I wanted him as my Lord,
When somebody finally cared enough to show me from his Word.
How will they know unless we tell them?
How will they know unless we show them from his word?
I don’t like to think of where I would be right now,
If I had never, never heard.
~*~*~
If you want to read some of my newer Easter poems, you can see them here: Easter Poetry & Art
Resurrection Blessings,
Virginia
Always enjoy your poetry. Thanks!
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