Healed by His Stripes

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Lenten Poems — week 4

NATHANIEL’S ANSWER

Nathaniel was a man who knew no guile.
He walked with Jesus, loved Him all the while.
When first he heard His name, a question posed
But waited ’til the answer was disclosed.

“From Nazareth can any good come forth?”
He asked of those who knew that city’s worth.
He asked for meditation, not reply,
Yet found the answer true in Jesus’ eyes.

And although from the garden he did run
With others as they scattered one by one,
As Roman guards led Jesus, bound, away,
There came a reckoning after the third day.

As Mary ran to spread the glorious news,
Nathaniel, hidd’n with others, all confused,
Received her words with doubt, and hope, and fear,
And hungered so His Master’s voice to hear.

Then Jesus stood among them, His work done:
Salvation for the world from Nazareth comes.

 

 

 

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Lenten Poems — week 3

Seized and stripped and slapped and spit upon,
Scornful salutations; sorrow; shame;
Satan stalks the Son of God and Son of Man
Scarlet stripes, scalding tears, searing pain;

Search the scriptures, surely they the story tell:
Insatiable evil strikes; the Lamb is slain.

But surely, it’s my sins He bore, my sorrow and shame,
My sickness, my distress, my grief, my pain.

Submitted Sacrifice: He sealed the promise;
Sufficient, He bought me peace with God again.

 

 

 

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Lenten Lesson – Week 4

This week the lesson includes a scripture passage, of course, but following that I have posted all the words of the hymn “Just As I Am”  (by Charlotte Elliott). I felt strongly impressed of the Lord that these words would be a rich blessing to some readers this week.

“Unto Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in Thee I trust. Do not let me be ashamed.” (Psalm 25:1-2).

Just As I Am  (Charlotte Elliott)

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am; Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down.
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

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Lenten Lesson – Week 1

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, which, for the Christian world, is the beginning of the Lenten season, when we focus on the specifics of Jesus Christ’s suffering and death for us. I’m running slightly behind, since we are to Thursday already, but I’d like to share a scripture passage from the Word of God each week of Lent as a way of observing this important time. I’m not going to comment on the passages, but just let them speak for themselves and trust that you, my readers, will be blessed by God’s own words.

This week’s passage if from the epistle lesson suggested for Ash Wednesday: Sections of Joel 2:12-19.

“‘Now, therefore,’ says the Lord, ‘turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.’ So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. …

“Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a sacred assembly; gather the people; sanctify the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children and nursing babes; let the bridegroom go out from his changer, and the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar; let them say,’Spare Your people, O Lord, and do not give your people to reproach., that the nations should rule over them.’ …

“Then the Lord will be zealous for His land and pity His people. The Lord will answer and say to His people, ‘Behold I will send you grain and new wine and oil, and you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.’”

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