I am creating a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This poem is based on the account of Jesus’ words to Mary and Martha after the death of their brother in John 11:11-57.
four days since we bound
the shell of our brother
and released him to
the relentless grave
over a week since we called
for the only Healer we know
and waited
for him to come too late
I tend and feed
the consolers
crowding Mary
drowning in sorrow
Then he arrives
and I leave to meet him
If you had been here,
he wouldn’t have died
–an accusation
or a statement of faith?
for I know he can do all things
but I do not yet know
all the things
he can do
“Your brother will rise again.
I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.
Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
and I confess
before him
that I still know
who he is
I call Mary,
who falls at his feet and cries,
Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died
echoes again of
my God, my God,
why have you
forsaken me?
and his spirit
is crushed as he
tastes death’s bitter brew
with us
as if every tear
should be bottled
he groans like distant thunder
a growing storm against the grave
we walk him to the tomb
and he weeps
for his distance
was never indifference
his love’s
full extent
we do not
yet know
he orders the stone
rolled away
and I know enough of death
to object
“Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?”
his voice
now like lightning
calls my brother out
and the grave releases him
still bound up
with all our mourning
“Free him, and let him go.”
lament and sorrow
unwind and turn to joy
as we obey
I cannot see
the events unleashed
that day
when he willingly unlocked
the full fury
of the robbed grave
to repeat the rolling,
the rising,
and the unwrapping of all our mourning
Scriptures to see also: Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46
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Mary Dean, you have such beautiful gifts, and I’m not talking about your shop! Thank you for sharing your love for Jesus in such a lovely way. Your poem touched me deeply 😊❤️
Thank you, Kathy. 💓💓💓 Happy Easter!
Wonderful writing, thank you.
It puts both stories in context.
Blessings
Thank you, Yanira. 🙂
As someone who both clings to the peace only Jesus brings and one that struggles with faith somehow at the same time, this poem touched my heart and overwhelmed it with Jesus’ love for us.
Thank you for this, Cecilia. So thankful it communicated something special to your heart. –Mary