Thursday, April 14, 2022

Just as He Said

 


From that time on, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed, and on the third day, be raised to life. ~Matthew 16:21


Disciples witness Friday's horror

Powerless to intervene

Trembling in fear they could be next

To take up a cross, to follow Him

But where?  When?  He perishes

Before their unbelieving eyes

Confused, afraid, they flee for cover

Shadowed by guilt, cowardice, grief

Consumed by disbelief, they fail

To recall His promise to rise

From death to life, to renew hope

In God's salvation for all time

Tears blur a clear vision

On that Saturday bereft

Of Jesus' presence, that blinds them

To Easter's blessed arrival

Is it any wonder they dismiss

The women's report that He is risen?

Doubt, the enemy of faith, 

Dispelled.  Stone rolled away

An empty tomb confirms

The Lord has risen, just as He said.

Amen!

38 comments:

  1. You captured the atmosphere right, Martha. It must have been frightening for the disciples; and really cruel and agonising for Christ. All for us!

    God bless.

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    1. Thank you, Victor. I've always reflected upon what that first Holy Saturday looked like for the disciples when they had yet to see the rest of the story played out. We who live on this side of the resurrection certainly have the upper hand.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. A horror, but one that was necessary.

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  3. Amen. He is risen indeed my friend; and we have life because of His great sacrifice. God's blessings.

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    1. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, J. D., is why we can face each new day with joy and hope.
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Oh, this was wonderful, Martha! Thank you for this beautifully written and heart felt poem that captures the essence of what the disciples must of felt. Thank you, and have a blessed Easter weekend.

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    1. I'm so glad this poem spoke to your heart, Pamela. May your Easter be full of joy!
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Dearest Martha,
    Such a touching poem and well summed up.
    When I sang with the chorus and orchestra last night we touched it all and it was meaningful.
    At the end me must let it really SINK in...
    But the glorious Easter will soon arrive and we can sing with the chorus and orchestra again Händel's Halleluja.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Easter will turn our mourning on Good Friday into song and celebration, Mariette, that's for certain. So glad this poem spoke to your heart.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. I can't begin to imagine how the disciples must have felt, uncomprehending the horror. There are no words to express my gratitude for what's been given us. Halleluja, He is risen!

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    1. He is risen, indeed, Myra. Hallelujah!
      Love and blessings!

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  7. Well done, Martha. You are a word master and bring to life the emotions that must have been present back then and still are today as we wait for Easter morn and the news that He has Risen! Thank you.

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words here, Terri - I am humbled!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. Martha, you have such a beautiful way with words. Easter week has always been very important to me. The Passion is always difficult because of the spiritual and emotional pain Jesus suffered. We are so undeserving and yet He loved us so much He gave His life for us. I hope your Easter is a beautiful one. Take care and HUGS to you.

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    1. You are much too kind, Anne - Thank you! May your Easter be wonderful, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Patiently waiting for the book of your poetry.
    He is Risen, Indeed!

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    1. One day, Lulu, one day . . .
      Happy Easter!
      Love and blessings!

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  10. Another picture beautifully painted with words. Your reminder of the awful emptiness of that Saturday is an appropriate way to approach the glorious morning that followed it. Thank you for launching an effective counteroffensive against the commercial assault on the most vital day in human history. May God grant us forgiveness for allowing evil to grow undeterred in our land for so long, and may He continue to bless you for your faithful stand and your compelling display of the truth that sets us free. May your Easter celebrations be filled with the peace and joy that only Jesus can give.

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    1. Thank you so much, Ron, for your kind and thoughtful words here. Since I became a committed Christian, Holy Saturday has always haunted me, making me try to imagine how the disciples felt in that interim between death and resurrection. I'm so thankful God saw fit to give me the words to express how I feel.
      Love and blessings!

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  11. How perfect to read this today, Thank you and Easter blessings to you and Danny

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    1. Thanks, Jean! Happy Easter to you and Bill, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. A thousand Hallelujahs, Martha. Powerful! Happy Easter!

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  13. Praise the Lord! We serve a risen Savior. Thank you for sbaring

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  14. Beautiful words, Martha, to which I say,"AMEN!!" I hope your Easter celebration was full of family and joy.

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    1. Thanks so much, Diane! Easter was pretty quiet around here as my daughter and her family were with husband, John's family. I'll be posting photos on my next blog!
      Love and blessings!

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  15. Love it Martha, thanks. He is risen, just as He said!

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    1. Amen, Marja, the Lord has risen indeed!
      Love and blessings!

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  16. Saturday must have been so painful for the disciples. Not only was their precious Lord dead in a tomb, they had abandoned him to suffer death by crucifixion alone. And then! What euphoria as the truth began to sink in that Jesus was indeed risen and the tomb was empty! You've captured so well, Martha, the disciples' turmoil turned to ecstasy!

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    1. Thank you, Nancy, for your kind and complimentary words here. For many years, I've reflected on what Jesus' disciples must have felt on that Holy Saturday, uncertain that things would actually happen as the Lord predicted. Oh, such despair and loneliness they must have felt! We are so blessed because we know how this story ends.
      Love and blessings!

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  17. So thankful our dear Lord and Savior arose! God bless you, sweet friend.

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