Wayne Weekly “Easter in Rhyme”

Jesus journey to Jerusalem for that final Passover was one filled with miracles and memorable events.

The New Testament city of Jericho was the stage for the healing of Bartimaeus; “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Zacchaeus in the Sycamore tree? “Zacchaeus, you come down, for I’m going to your house today!”

The road to Jerusalem culminated with a triumphal entry, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”

But soon things changed. The triumph to tragedy. The Passover meal revealing a traitor….

The chief priests, and scribes, the plans for a bribe “. Seize Him by stealth, 30 pieces of wealth.

The Passover meal, a hand dipped in a bowl. A word from the Savior, “now finish your goal.”

“Father, if possible please let this cup pass.” But Thy will be done your plan will be cast.

The swords and clubs, a kiss on the cheek. a friendship once trusted now questioned and weak.

The tenuous arrest, so illegal the case, the beating of fists, the slaps in the face.

“Prophesy!”

From Annas to Caiaphas to Pilate He came, to Herod to Pilate a mockery game.

The glance at a friend, the prophesized crow. The shame of a man, realities blow.

The trial by Pilate, the washing of hands, “I find no fault in Him” led to a demand,

“Crucify Him!”  “Give us Barabbas!”

“Then what should I do with your King of the Jews?” Crucify Him, the astonishing news.

Crucify Him! What wrong has He done? The washing of hands, the guilt to be shunned.

The mocking, the scourging, the torn flesh of His back, the sacred blood spilled the prints of His track.

A purple robe, a king’s royal attire, a crown of thorns given …prophesize sire!

“Hail, King of the Jews.”

The Via Delarosa, the way of the cross. Simon to help, the strength He had loss.

The place of the skull. The sounds of the nails, the shame of the punishment. The cries and the rails.

The dividing of garments, the casting of lot, the wagging of heads, the despicable plot.

“Save yourself, come down from the Cross!”

Jesus, remember in your Kingdom to come. In paradise I will remember this one.

The sorrow of loved ones, the care for His mother, the words that he said to his friend and His brother.

The darkness above. The words priceless and true, “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they do.”

The earthquake, the vail now torn top to low. The centurion’s cry, it all must be so.

“Surely this man was the Son of God.”

The arms of a friend, a newly hewn tomb, a sheet for a covering, Sabbath day soon.

A bed in the dark, a stone rolled in keel. The authority of Rome set in a seal.

The guards standing firm, security cast, the night will be watched by soldiers so fast.

The woman arrive on at the dawn of the day. An angel, an earthquake, the stone rolled away.

The guards now as dead men. In fear did they quiver. A message of joy to speedily deliver.

A sprint to the grave, linen cloths all alone, a face cloth now folded in a place of its own.

Mary now weeping, two angels she sees. Why are you weeping? A gardner perceived.

A voice from the Savior, Rabboni she cried. Could it be Him now living who died?

The woman, they wondered the stone was so large. An angel that greets them, an incredible charge.

Why seek the living among those who are dead. He is not here, He’s risen just as He said.

“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come see the place where He was lying.”

The telling of Peter, the disciple’s had doubted. The room full of sadness, the faithful had pouted.

The bribing of soldiers by elders and priests. The news of the snatching must surely increase.

The plot must be foolproof, the lies that were told, must attest to the fact the bodies been stole.

The road to Emmaus, the revealing of Him, the reason He came the cleansing of sin.

Didn’t our hearts burn whenever He shared, on to Jerusalem we go to tell all that He bared.

“And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

Behind locked doors the disciples they gather, afraid of the Jews because of the matter.

They talked and they wondered, the future looked grim, then in came the Savior indeed it was Him.

A ghost they had thought, the fear gripped their souls, He showed them His wounds that left sacred holes.

Now Thomas was absent, but God had a plan, to prove to this doubter a real living man.

The men were all gathered, Thomas there too, a visit from Jesus, a convert was due!

A showing of wounds, His hands and His side, a proof oh so clear with nothing to hide.

“My Lord and My God!”

The next stop a trip to the men by the sea, back to their work before there was He.

Children a catch in your nets did you find? No was their answer we’ve left them behind.

Just cast out your net on the right side of the boat, and soon such a catch they barely could tote.

John said to Peter it’s surely the Lord. Then Peter jumped over and swam to the shore.

A breakfast of fish He had cooked on the coals, a lesson of “feeding” was one of His goals.

Go into the nations, the good news bring forth, disciple and baptize and finish your course.

“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”